– Supporting Increased Productivity Amidst Declining Yields –

SORA Technology Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi, Japan; Founder & CEO: Yosuke Kaneko; hereinafter “SORA Technology”), a startup tackling global health and climate challenges through AI and drone technology, has conducted a joint project with Tachibana & Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan; President and CEO: Shoji Nishimoto; hereinafter “Tachibana”), a specialized trading company of cacao raw materials, to analyze vegetation and soil conditions at cacao farms in Ghana using drones and ground-based sensors.

Background and Objective

Ghana, one of the world’s top two cacao-producing countries, is currently facing sharp declines in crop yields. Factors such as extreme weather, widespread plant diseases, and farmland contamination caused by illegal gold mining have led to significant supply reductions and soaring global cacao prices.
In response, targeting the individual farms managed by Tachibana,  SORA Technology conducted a study  to assess the potential of drone-based monitoring to improve productivity in Ghana’s cacao agriculture. The initiative included high-resolution aerial imaging using drones equipped with visible and multispectral cameras, along with soil analysis using ground sensors measuring pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Based on the data collected, SORA Technology and Tachibana jointly assessed the applicability of drone-based data for evaluation of vegetation health and soil nutrient distribution based on slope and terrain conditions.

Photo: Preparing for drone-based aerial survey

Project Overview

Location: Four cacao farms in Ghana’s Central Region
Key Activities:
Ortho-mosaic and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) analysis using visible and multispectral drone imagery
On-site measurement and spatial mapping of soil pH and EC
Topographic analysis using 3D point cloud models and DSM (Digital Surface Model)

Image: 3D point cloud model of a cacao field

Future Outlook

Beyond simple vegetation monitoring, SORA Technology aims to develop “Land Health Intelligence” capabilities to visualize and assess overall land health, including vulnerability to crop diseases and pests. The company plans to leverage AI and simulation models to offer data-driven recommendations for land improvement.
While the current effort began as a localized pilot, SORA Technology envisions expanding its applications to other regions and crops through partnerships with international organizations. The company also plans to support traceability initiatives—particularly in response to upcoming European market requirements—by working closely with local enterprises and academic institutions to ensure reliable, transparent land health records.

Company Profile

Company Name: SORA Technology Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Nagono Campus, 2-14-1 Nagono, Nishi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Representative: Yosuke Kaneko (Founder & CEO)
Business Areas: Development and deployment of drone- and AI-powered solutions for infectious disease control, agriculture, and disaster response
Established: 2020
Mission: “Transforming lives from the sky.” SORA Technology aims to build safer, more prosperous societies—anywhere in the world—through aerial mobility. The company focuses on addressing infectious diseases and climate change through cutting-edge drone and AI solutions.