Drone technology to track Desert Locusts

In 2020 number of African countries experienced some of the worst Desert Locust (DL) upsurges in recent history. Climate change and atypical weather events are thought to important factors driving the sudden rise in DL numbers with climatic conditions favouring breeding over the past two years.

But the problem is not a new one. For years the Greater Horn of Africa (specifically Eritrea and Ethiopia) have contended with numerous invasions by the destructive insect pest. And while the current situation is calming, locust breeding is continuing on both sides of the Red Sea, in Sudan and Eritrea and in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Amid these risks of new invasions, the government of Sudan has opted to pursue the use of novel technologies to help provide early warning signs and quickly control locust outbreaks, especially given the role of increasingly unpredictable cyclones in generating favorable breeding conditions.

In a first, Sudan’s Plant Protection Directorate (PPD) worked with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to develop, test, and starting using built-for-purpose drone technology, to search for habitats conducive to hosting the voracious DL and target any outbreaks for rapid control.

Drones make it possible to conduct surveillance even in inaccessible areas, so locusts can be treated before attacking food crops -- a key preventive strategy in containing the threat.

The drones being used in Sudan were developed by the HEMAV Foundation, a Spain-based non-profit organization working to support the use of innovation and technology in the social and humanitarian environment, in partnership with FAO and Sudanese authorities.

Early this year, the PPD obtained three drones. A training course on their use was conducted by HEMAV Foundation experts and organized in collaboration with FAO Sudan and supported by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Ten PPD locust officers from different regions of Sudan were trained in operating the drones.

“The deployment of the drones in Sudan has been satisfactory for everyone. The locust officers in Sudan are ready to start working with drones while we could experience first-hand the difficulties of the task that they must carry out and to hear their advice to improve our technology for future versions”, said Sergi Tres, HEMAV Foundation Project Manager.

The Desert Locust situation has evolved since September 2020 following an invasion of a number of mature locust swarms across the southern coastal border of Red Sea State. In September, at least 21 swarms reached the country and spread in a vast areas between Atbara River and Red Sea Hills. Rainfall received in these areas helped drastically to improve the ecological conditions and hence large scale offspring and bands formation occurred. Invasion of immature swarms to the Red Sea coastal areas continued during December 2021, particularly at Tokar Delta and areas adjacent Eritrean borders. Now, ecological conditions remains favourable for DL breeding and developing in most surveyed areas on the central coast and Toker Delta, therefore, continued vigilance are is extremely critical.

“Based on the many years’ experience in DL operations, I am quite confident that the use of technology such as drones in DL operations is a real step forward in DL surveillance particularly DL breeds in remote areas where it is difficult to reach or to cover all areas”, said Munir Butrous, FAO desert locust consultant in Sudan.

“Use of drones in DL operations will boost the effectiveness and hence save severe damages to crops saving food security to majority of the population particularly farmers and nomads”, added Munir.

Now that FAO has opened new horizons of introducing modern technologies, to support responses to DL invasions, Sudan is playing the role of pioneer in the use of this new technology.

“The deployment of drones in Desert Locust surveillance and control operations in Sudan has proved effective so far. The technology is affordable, portable, robust, easy to maintain locally and can complement current spraying efforts, as they spot the green areas that might be difficult to reach with vehicles”, said Babagana Ahmadu, FAO Representative in Sudan. He further added “The drone technology could also be useful in supporting farmers optimize agriculture operations, increase crop production and monitor crop growth”.