Pakistan to deploy dozens of drones to tackle locust attacks

The Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Locust Control Center (NLCC) have joined hands to curb locusts attack using drones and satellite technology.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain informed that a meeting was held at the Locust Control Center where the usage of drones to spray and tp conduct survey was discussed. “Satellites and drones will change the game, too,” said Chaudhry in a tweet post.

The minister informed that in the first phase, 30 drones will take part in the Ministry of Science and Technology and Locust Control campaign, and their numbers will gradually increase.

Earlier, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for this purpose, between the Ministry of Science and Technology and ABN SATUMA (Private) Ltd for the development of UAVs/drones for agriculture application. The drones will specifically be used for countering locust attacks, which has caused havoc across the country.

Later on, Fawad Chaudhry also displayed the indigenously manufactured agricultural drones. “Both of these agricultural drones are Made in Pakistan, and are capable of spraying 16 liters (pesticide) for 18 minutes, first the whole field is sprayed after the sensors identify which part of the crop is diseased and only this part is sprayed, complete monitoring of the field,” said Fawad.