How Nokuphila Gumede is Revolutionising Agriculture with Drones

Nestled in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Howick-based Field Tech Solutions is transforming agriculture with cutting-edge drone technology.

Founded by Nokuphila Gumede, in partnership with Thabiso Sithole and Khanya Nyawo, the company is pioneering precision farming, offering drone-based services for crop spraying, fertilising, ripening, and mapping.

Gumede (31), originally from KwaDukuza, discovered her passion for agriculture after moving to Pietermaritzburg in 2015 to study at the Cedara College of Agriculture. She earned a degree in Agriculture from Cedara and later completed an honours degree in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

“My partners and I started the business in 2021 after I had the opportunity to complete a drone licence programme funded by the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA),” Gumede explained.

“During the programme, I researched how drones could be applied in agriculture. Most people in the industry only saw drones as tools for photography or videography. But I realised drones could also spray fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, and ripeners — and that was a game-changer.”

Field Tech Solutions now deploys high-tech drones primarily over sugarcane and maize fields, ensuring precise application of chemicals. “Drones help farmers save costs because they target only the areas that need treatment, reducing chemical waste,” Gumede said.

Overcoming Challenges

Launching the business was not without its hurdles. “Drones are expensive; the one we currently use costs about R300,000,” she revealed. A major breakthrough came in 2023 when Field Tech won the FNB Youth Start-up Accelerator Programme, securing funding for their first drone.

Despite operating with just one drone, the company has already made a significant impact. “This month alone, we’ve covered about 300 hectares with one drone,” said Gumede. Plans are underway to acquire more drones to meet growing demand and expand operations beyond KwaZulu-Natal.

With a dedicated team of seven, including three directors, Field Tech Solutions is more than a service provider — it’s cultivating a smarter, more efficient future for South African agriculture.