adminAshley Mujoma
THE Government has acquired nine T40 drones to combat the damage to wheat farmers’ crops by quelea birds.
The drones have the capacity to carry 40 litres of chemicals and incorporate an atomised spray system capable of reaching areas hitherto off-limits to ground-based teams.
In addition to enhanced pest control efficacy, use of the drones promises to improve mapping, monitoring and surveying.
It also reduces risks of poisoning for farmers handling highly hazardous pesticides directly, and makes crop-spraying more efficient in general and increasing both yields and profitability.
Speaking at the drones’ handover event, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, John Basera, said he appreciated the unwavering support being witnessed across all agriculture domains.
“As the Ministry gears up towards precision agriculture, today marks a defining moment of our time as we are proud owners of drones, thus, lining up all the dominoes towards an efficient and effective smart agricultural system.
“Drone technology offers endless possibilities agriculturally.
“I feel greatly honoured to be among the great team witnessing this feat within the Ministry,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge