About this module
Level 1 made you a careful measurer and record keeper. Level 2 makes you someone farmers, cooperatives and buyers can hire for maps, data and advice.
Who it is for. People who have finished Precision Agriculture (Level 1), or who can show the same skills. National Proficiency II covers varied work, mostly routine, done under limited supervision.
CTVET status. No CTVET precision agriculture programme was found. This module is not a CTVET curriculum.
Bridge from Level 1: what you already know
- Ask consent before recording a farmer's data, and say why
- Keep records on the day: inputs, labour, rain, pests, harvest
- Phone GPS is about 5 m accurate in the open and much worse under cocoa; check with a tape
- Convert hectares and acres correctly
- Take a composite soil sample in a zig-zag
- Use weather and advice services by phone
- Photograph leaves for pest apps and confirm with an officer
- Yield, cost and profit formulas
- Drones need GCAA registration and a permit; at Level 1 you kept clear
Level 1 did not cover flying drones, satellite image analysis or variable-rate machinery. Level 2 covers satellite images and variable rates at farm scale, and teaches you to supervise licensed drone providers. Flying spray drones needs a licence you will not hold at this level.
How the module works
Each unit has learning outcomes, performance criteria, the range and the evidence your assessor needs. You are judged Competent or Not Yet Competent. About 70% of the time is practical, following CTVET's Oil Palm programme split of about 30% school and 70% workplace.
Unit 1 · Rules, licences and responsibilities
Drones, pesticides and farmers' data are all controlled by law. Knowing the rules protects the farmer, the public and you.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 1.1 Explain drone rules | lists the GCAA permissions a farm drone job needs |
| 1.2 Check pesticide rules | checks a pesticide is registered and the applicator licensed |
| 1.3 Protect data | applies the Data Protection Act when collecting farmer data |
Range. Ghana's drone, pesticide and data laws. Evidence. Rules chart; data consent form.
Drone classes
| Class | Maximum take-off weight | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Small | up to 1.5 kg | Within sight of the pilot |
| Light | 1.5–7 kg | Within sight of the pilot |
| Large | over 7 kg | Pilot licence needed; beyond sight only with GCAA approval |
Large drones also need a certificate of airworthiness, renewed yearly.
Pilots and permissions
- A remote pilot licence needs a minimum age of 18 and a medical certificate.
- Special permission is needed for dropping or spraying things, hazardous work and night flights; apply at least 30 days ahead. Spraying very likely needs this; confirm with GCAA.
- Keep 30 m from people, buildings and vehicles not under the operator's control, and keep away from airports.
- A safety course of under an hour gives a one-year certificate, and registration is renewed yearly. Queries go to rpas@caa.com.gh.
- Only a company registered in Ghana can hold a commercial operating certificate. It needs manuals, insurance, a demonstration flight and an emergency plan.
- Fees are listed in US dollars. Flying without registration or approval brings penalties, and hiring an uncertified drone company is itself an offence.
Few agricultural operators listed. The GCAA's list of certified commercial operators did not show any for farm spraying. Always ask a provider for their operating certificate.
Pesticides
The Environmental Protection Act, 2025 makes it unlawful to sell or use an unregistered pesticide, and anyone who applies pesticides commercially must be licensed by the Environmental Protection Authority.
Data
Ghana's Data Protection Act needs consent before collecting personal data, and processing data without registering with the Data Protection Commission is an offence. All data controllers must register.
Rules chart
- Make a chart: drone class, licences and permissions for mapping and for spraying.
- Write a farmer data consent form in plain language.
- Find the DPC registration steps.
Ask GCAA
Email or call GCAA to ask what permission a spray drone job needs. Record the answer.
Unit 2 · Mapping fields to a standard
A good field map has a clear boundary, a number, an owner, a date and the farmer's consent.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 2.1 Record a boundary | records a field polygon and exports it |
| 2.2 Keep a register | keeps a farm map register with ID, owner, crop, area, date and consent |
| 2.3 Check quality | checks map quality under trees and repeats where needed |
Range. At least 10 fields. Evidence. Exported maps; register.
Why mapping now matters
The European Union's deforestation rules cover cocoa. They apply from 30 December 2026 for large and medium companies and from 30 June 2027 for small ones, and buyers will need the location of each plot. This creates demand for accurate farm maps in the cocoa belt, including the Western Region.
A farm map register
| Field ID | Owner | Crop | Area (ha) | Date mapped | Consent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR-001 | Yes / No |
Map ten fields
- Walk the boundary of ten fields with a mapping app.
- Export each map and fill the register.
- Re-walk two fields under tree cover and compare areas.
Compare
Which field had the biggest difference between two walks? Why?
Unit 3 · Reading crops from space
Free satellite images show where a crop is struggling. They tell you where to look, not what is wrong.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 3.1 Open images | opens a Sentinel-2 image of a field |
| 3.2 Explain NDVI | explains NDVI and its limits |
| 3.3 Use NDVI well | uses NDVI to choose where to scout on the ground |
Range. Five mapped fields. Evidence. Screenshots; scouting notes.
Free tools
- Sentinel-2 satellites take free images every 5 days at 10 m detail. Copernicus Browser lets you view them free.
- Digital Earth Africa gives free maps of cropland, greenness (NDVI) and water, and free training.
- Commercial tools offer more indices and variable-rate maps, some with free tiers.
- Google Earth Engine is free only for non-commercial use; a paid service business needs a commercial licence.
NDVI
NDVI = (near-infrared − red) ÷ (near-infrared + red)
It runs from −1 to +1: grassland is about 0.2–0.4 and dense forest close to 1. NDVI stops rising in dense leaves, and thin cloud and wet soil distort it. In the cloudy south and under cocoa shade, use it with care.
Look, then go. A low NDVI patch might be pests, drought, waterlogging, poor soil or just a path. Always walk the spot before advising.
Satellite scouting
- Open a recent cloud-free image of five fields.
- Mark the lowest-NDVI patch in each.
- Visit each patch and record what you find.
Cloud check
How many cloud-free images of your field were there last month?
Unit 4 · Sensors, weather stations and data
Numbers from the soil and the sky make advice more reliable.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 4.1 Use soil readings | records in-field soil test or sensor readings |
| 4.2 Use weather data | gets GMet and station data |
| 4.3 Build a field log | combines sensor, weather and records into a weekly log |
Range. Two fields over four weeks. Evidence. Weekly field logs.
In-field testing
A Ghanaian company offers in-field soil testing at GH¢400 per test for up to 4 acres, measuring nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic carbon, pH and more, with a nutrient plan for GH¢200 more. It also sells grain moisture meters.
Weather
- GMet publishes ten-day farm weather bulletins, maps and satellite images, and takes data requests through a web form.
- TAHMO runs weather stations in Ghana, many at schools and universities.
Weekly log
- Set up a rain gauge at two fields.
- Record soil readings, rain, GMet forecast and field notes weekly for four weeks.
- Write one decision you made from the log.
Data request
Fill in GMet's data request form for rainfall at your nearest station.
Unit 5 · Zones, variable rates and yield maps
Not every part of a field is the same. Treat each part as it needs.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 5.1 Make zones | splits a field into zones using soil tests, NDVI and records |
| 5.2 Explain variable rate | explains map-based and sensor-based variable rates |
| 5.3 Map yield by hand | weighs harvest per zone to make a yield map |
Range. One field. Evidence. Zone map; yield map.
Variable rate
Variable-rate application changes the amount of fertiliser or seed by location, either from a prescription map or from sensors in real time, and cuts waste and pollution. On small farms, this means applying different rates by hand in each zone.
Hand yield mapping
Harvest each zone separately, weigh it and divide by the zone area. Compare zones and costs.
Zone sums
Zone A (0.2 ha) gave 600 kg of maize; zone B (0.3 ha) gave 600 kg. What is the yield per hectare for each? Which zone needs attention?
Zone the field
- Divide one field into 2–3 zones using soil tests and NDVI.
- Plan a different fertiliser rate for each zone.
- At harvest, weigh by zone and draw a yield map.
Cost per zone
Work out fertiliser cost and profit per zone.
Unit 6 · Working with drone service providers
At this level you plan and supervise the ground side of a drone job. The licensed pilot flies.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 6.1 Write a job spec | writes a specification for a mapping or spraying job |
| 6.2 Check the provider | checks licences, insurance and emergency plan |
| 6.3 Supervise the ground | manages buffer zones, PPE, neighbours and records |
Range. One real or role-play drone job. Evidence. Job spec; provider checklist; job record.
Drones in Ghana
- In June 2026 the Ministry of Food and Agriculture gave five drones to the Peasant Farmers Association for crop monitoring, pest detection and mapping.
- KNUST has a drone unit training students and agripreneurs in drone operation and mapping.
- Ghana Flying Labs ran a 5-week spray drone course of 1 week theory and 4 weeks practice; only 2 of 17 trainees were women.
Provider checklist
- GCAA commercial operating certificate
- Licensed remote pilot
- Special authorisation for spraying
- Third-party insurance
- Emergency response plan
- EPA licence for commercial pesticide application
- Pesticide registered and label allows the method
Ground rules for spray jobs.
- Clear people 30 m or more from the spray area; warn neighbours and beekeepers.
- No spraying near water or homes, or in wind beyond the label or provider limit.
- PPE for anyone mixing or loading; keep out during the label's re-entry period.
- You do not fly the drone.
Drone job
- Write a job specification for a mapping or spraying job.
- Check a provider against the checklist.
- Supervise the ground side (or role-play it) and fill the job record.
Quotes
Get three quotes for drone mapping or spraying per acre.
Unit 7 · Running a precision agriculture service
Farmers and buyers will pay for maps, data and advice that save money or open markets.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 7.1 Price a service | costs and prices a mapping or advisory service |
| 7.2 Market it | markets to farmers, cooperatives and cocoa buyers |
| 7.3 Serve everyone | serves farmers with disabilities and low literacy |
Range. Own service plan. Evidence. Price list; business plan.
The market
- Farmerline reports over 2.3 million farmers and 1,000 field agents. AgroCenta offers digital ID, loans and payments. Esoko now mainly serves organisations with data and messaging. Ignitia sells weather forecasts but no longer mentions Ghana.
- A study of 1,000 farmers found high phone and data costs; many women have only basic phones; farmers want voice and offline services.
Location settings that give good returns
- The Western Region cocoa belt, where buyers need plot maps
- Rice and irrigation schemes
- Farmer associations and cooperatives that own drones and need ground crews
- Near district agriculture offices and input dealers
Business ideas and ingenuity
- Farm mapping for cocoa traceability, with consent
- Satellite scouting reports for large farms
- In-field soil testing and nutrient plans
- Ground crew and record keeping for drone providers
- Weekly weather and pest SMS or voice notes for paying groups
Market yourself
- A sample map and report to show farmers.
- Partnerships with cooperatives and buyers.
- Clear prices per acre or per field.
- Your data consent form shows you are trustworthy.
Accessibility
Deliver results by voice, IVR or local language voice notes for farmers who cannot read or see well. Mapping analysis, data and reporting suit people with limited mobility. Check field routes for trainees with mobility needs.
Service plan
- Write a price list for mapping, scouting and soil testing.
- Write a one-page business plan.
- Prepare a sample report for a farmer.
Cooperative visit
Visit a cooperative. Ask what data or maps their buyers want.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| EUDR | European Union rules against deforestation in supply chains |
| GCAA | Ghana Civil Aviation Authority |
| NDVI | A satellite measure of plant greenness |
| Polygon | A field boundary drawn as a shape |
| RPAS | Remotely piloted aircraft system (drone) |
| Variable rate | Applying different amounts in different parts of a field |
| Zone | A part of a field treated the same way |
Logbook
- Unit 1: rules chart; consent form
- Unit 2: exported maps; register
- Unit 3: satellite screenshots; scouting notes
- Unit 4: weekly field logs
- Unit 5: zone map; yield map
- Unit 6: job spec; provider checklist; job record
- Unit 7: price list; business plan
- Every homework, dated
Self-check quiz
- Which drone class needs a remote pilot licence?
- How far must drones keep from people not involved?
- Is it an offence to hire an uncertified drone company?
- Who must license commercial pesticide applicators?
- What must you do before collecting farmer data?
- Why does cocoa mapping matter from 2026?
- What does a low NDVI patch tell you?
- Can you run a paid service on free Google Earth Engine?
- How do you make a yield map by hand?
- Name four items on the drone provider checklist.
Further reading and sources
Best next reads: your Level 1 manual; GCAA Part 28 directives; Digital Earth Africa training; the Hub's Money Skills manual.
What this module does not cover: flying drones, drone pilot licensing courses, and machine-mounted variable-rate equipment.
Every source used in this manual is listed, with links, in the Teacher Copy.