US Trained Drone Pilot Brings Tech Solutions to Kenyan Farms

Visionary entrepreneur Lyela Mutisya has seamlessly woven her passion for agriculture and aviation into a thriving venture, Agridrone Technologies.

Hailing from Kenya, Lyela's formative years were spent in the United States, where she pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Administration, specializing in Unmanned Aircraft Systems. This educational foundation laid the groundwork for her current endeavour having obtained a coveted Part 107 pilot license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), enabling her to operate drones for commercial purposes. Lyela's inspiration for Agridrone Technologies stems from her family's deep-rooted ties to agriculture, particularly in the domain of coffee farming.

Through her visits to Kenya, she gained firsthand insights into the challenges her father faced as a coffee farmer, igniting a desire to apply her skills and knowledge to support the agricultural sector in her home country. The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed Lyela's entrepreneurial aspirations, prompting her to return to Kenya in 2022 to establish Agridrone Technologies. Her company collaborates with farmers to gather comprehensive data from their fields, positioning itself as a data-driven enterprise that leverages drone technology to collect invaluable information.

Lyela's journey was not without its obstacles as she initially encountered scepticism from government officials who harboured concerns about the potential misuse of drones for surveillance purposes. However, through persistent efforts and educational initiatives, she has successfully dispelled these apprehensions, fostering a greater understanding and acceptance of drone technology within the agricultural sector. In her pursuit of excellence, Lyela meticulously plans her visits to farms and clients, ensuring compliance with weather conditions and obtaining the necessary approvals from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

Her attention to detail and adherence to protocol have become hallmarks of her professional approach. Lyela's recent partnership with the Coffee Research Institute under KALRO (Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization) exemplifies the profound impact her work can have on the agricultural landscape. Through the implementation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) projects, she aims to detect diseases, monitor water needs, and address other threats to large coffee plantations, thereby enhancing productivity and sustainability.

"My advice to anyone reading this is that you can achieve anything you want, anywhere in the world. If you have a vision, it doesn't matter how long it takes to reach your goal. Delay is not denial – just keep pushing forward with your vision." She says.