DIPPER Lab Researcher Presents ‘HerdWatch’ Innovation at EJP C-arouNd Workshop in Kumasi
Lemuel Siaw, a researcher with the Distributed IoT-Platforms, Privacy and Edge-Intelligence Research (DIPPER) Lab, delivered a presentation on HerdWatch, an innovative livestock monitoring solution designed to support sustainable cattle farming, at the European Joint Programme (EJP) C-arouNd Project Workshop on regenerative agriculture, carbon storage, and greenhouse gas emissions in Ghana.
The presentation took place on the third day of the week-long workshop held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi.
The maiden EJP C-arouNd workshop was convened by Dr. Caleb Melenya Ocansey, DIPPER Lab’s Lead for Partnerships, in collaboration with Prof. Vincent Logah, Principal Investigator for KNUST, and Dr. Edward Yeboah, President of the Soil Science Society of Ghana.
The event brought together researchers and scientists from 13 institutions across Africa, Europe, South America, and North America to explore practical approaches to improving soil health, regenerative agriculture, and climate-smart development.
During his presentation, Mr. Siaw introduced HerdWatch, a smart livestock monitoring system designed and developed at DIPPER Lab to help farmers manage their herds more efficiently while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cattle farming.
“HerdWatch gives farmers the power to know exactly what’s happening in their herd, anytime, anywhere,” he explained.
HerdWatch is a wearable device attached to each animal, integrating GPS tracking, temperature, motion and activity sensors, and heart rate monitoring. Data from these sensors are transmitted wirelessly to a dashboard or mobile phone, enabling farmers to track livestock health and movement in real time.
Mr. Siaw noted that methane emissions, inefficient grazing, and livestock losses due to disease are major contributors to agricultural carbon emissions. HerdWatch addresses these challenges through early health detection, optimized grazing management, lower fuel use, and prevention of stray cattle and vegetation damage.
“By improving how we manage livestock, HerdWatch helps farmers increase productivity while contributing to Ghana’s climate action goals,” he added.
The project is currently in its development phase, with devices being produced locally at DIPPER Lab and field testing planned in collaboration with the Departments of Crop and Animal Sciences at KNUST.
DIPPER Lab’s software team is also developing AI-powered applications to enhance monitoring and provide predictive insights for better herd management. Looking ahead, the team plans to expand testing, improve device performance, and engage farmers through training and outreach, promoting the adoption of IoT and AI-driven solutions in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
