Young Tanzanian Woman Makes Crop Spraying Drone after Pesticides Affected Farmer Parents

Young Tanzanian Woman Makes Crop Spraying Drone after Pesticides Affected Farmer Parents

  • Tukupala Mwalyolo was inspired after seeing her parents get headaches and other side effects by manually spraying pesticides on crops
  • The Tanzanian developed a passion for drones and learned how to make them using local materials like wood and bamboo
  • Mwalyolo eventually got a scholarship to Finland and realised her dream before returning home to pass on the skills to the younger generation to solve problems
  • She termed drone technology as the future and offered insights into AI integration and potential applications of drones in Africa

Tukupala Mwalyolo never imagined she would one day be a force to recon in East Africa’s drone technology scene.

Tukupala Mwalyolo makes drones.
Tukupala Mwalyolo is imparting her drone-making skills to younger generations to solve societal problems. Photos: Tukupala Mwalyolo.
Source: Twitter

Parents' troubles inspire Tukupala Mwalyolo to make drone

Raised in Tanzania by farmer parents, seeing them struggle with pesticides was the beginning of an illustrious journey to Finland.

Read also

Metkei Girls Student Awarded after Leaving Teachers in Disbelief with Fire Waist

“It all started in 2017 when I helped my parents spray pesticides on their crops. We did manual spraying, and inhaling the pesticide had side effects like headaches and dizziness,” she told TUKO.co.ke.

PAY ATTENTION: Don't miss trending Kenyan news. Follow TUKO.co.ke on Twitter!

Mwalyolo’s parents knew no other alternative to keep pests and diseases from destroying their livelihoods, but the young lady started researching, leading her to drones.

A year later, she joined the University of Dar es Salaam to pursue computer engineering, where she delved into drone making.

“I joined Resilience Academy and learned how to make drones using localised materials like wood and bamboo.”

Mwalyolo interned during her second and third years to learn more about drones.

“In my fourth year, I applied for a fellowship seeking people with ideas on how to help society. I got funding and mentorship.”

Tukupala Mwalyolo goes to Finland

Read also

Kiambu Mama Mboga Denies Claims William Ruto Abandoned Her, Angered by Those Insulting Him: "I Was Annoyed"

Mwalyolo finished her degree in 2022 and joined the University of Turku in Finland on an exchange program to study data science, robotics and autonomous systems.

The innovator admitted that adjusting to life in Europe was not a bed of roses.

“It was my first time seeing snow, and the biting winter cold was my biggest challenge. I was also unused to the food and only ate potatoes until I adapted.”

Mwalyolo also admitted that she experienced a cultural shock.

“Finnish people are quiet and don’t even say hi, unlike Tanzanians. I enjoyed the teaching method as it was more effective than in my home country- using more practical lessons and assignments over theory.

Ever hungry for more knowledge, Mwalyolo joined a flight club at the university, where she was embraced and appreciated as few women pursued flight technology.

“I learned how to make from scratch and fly model planes. I learned how drone technology is used in different companies by interning and going to workshops.”

Read also

Kenyans Tickled as Sleepy Man Falls from Seat in Moving Matatu: "Ukila Ugali Lunch"

She finally realised her dream to make a drone to help her parents spray pesticides on crops.

Tukupala Mwalyolo starts drone-making lessons to give back

Before returning home, Mwalyolo also acquired drone license certifications A1, A2 and A3. To nurture the next generation, she started a club for young people.

“We teach them how to make drones, fly and utilise drone technology to solve societal problems.”

The programmer also weighed in on integrating AI into drones amid calls for restrictions on technology development over fears that it might take over the world.

“AI will change the world as it has many benefits, as we have seen with Chat GPT. However, this is only possible if AI is used for good.”

According to Mwalyolo, drone technologies have many applications practical to Africa.

“Drones can map to solve problems like flooding and traffic jams by using data to develop solutions. The technology is applicable in mining, where drones can identify electromagnetic fields and the data sold to companies for mineral exploration.”

Read also

Japan Introduces Classes to Teach Citizens How to Smile Again after Months of Wearing Masks

Mwalyolo added that drones could also be used to plant trees and deal with the ravages of climate change.

She dispelled notions that creating drones requires advanced knowledge.

“All you need is an understanding of electric parts connected to drones and configuration. You don’t have to go to class and study.
It was not a topic I learned at the undergraduate level.”

What’s her dream?

“To see young people getting into making drones and integrating them with technology like AI and using them to solve problems.”

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see TUKO News on your News Feed

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Tags:
Online view pixel