Conclusion

The Muguga farm experiment was an initial step in the verification of the effectiveness of ULV integrated drones and aerial monitoring drones to track and spray desert locusts. It solidifies part of the operational aspects of drones in desert locust management efforts. So far, the results indicate improvements in surveillance and spraying workflow procedures, as well as in chemical spray rate per spray nozzle and, finally, higher area coverage rate, which will lead to larger area coverage within the same time during actual operations. The experiments also brought to fore the significant effect of wind speed and direction on the effectiveness of the drone. We found that it was crucial for the pilot to stay aware of wind patterns during spraying so as to take advantage of the extra coverage from the blown spray droplets.

This is a good start to improvements in drone implementation for integration as a supplementary technology in desert locust disaster response efforts. More improvements like this spell a future where drones will be automatically deployed to collect imagery on desert locust swarm locations and sizes. This reconnaissance will then enable strategic planning and positioning of desert locust control assets like aircrafts, ground sprayers and drone sprayers to tackle the swarms at different tactical locations. This will ensure more swarms are controlled effectively within one roosting period through well synchronized collective control efforts.

The next step is critical, as we look at the desert locust spraying results over different heights. We expect to achieve higher spray coverage for higher heights as there is a longer distance covered by the trajectory of the droplet. We can also expect higher droplets penetration at lower heights owing to the close proximity of the target to the sprayers. This is a general assumption. With the results, we will be able to identify the most effective or optimum spray height above the spraying target to control desert locusts. While hopeful about the experiment outcomes, it would be interesting to see how wind conditions affect spraying performance. The winds were considerably strong which consequently blew the chemical further. Though it improves the spread of the pesticide, would it have any effect on the penetration? Our experiment results will shed light on this.

Progress is indeed a process. This part of the process lays the foundation to building efficient, optimized, and evidence-based drone operations in critical applications such as desert locust control as well as the management of similar pests with drones. Considering a future where we can potentially eradicate the damage and loss caused by such disasters, makes the process well worth it. If you’ve read this far, understand that you have a front-row seat to the potential that innovation has to solve the myriad of challenges we face globally, like climate change and food insecurity, both associated with desert locust invasion. You only need to take the next step and get involved by supporting and growing such endeavors that attempt to solve these challenges, so as to make the world a little better than we found it. Be a part of the process.

For any questions, comments, and suggestions, please get in touch through operations@astral-aerial.com or ftlenquiries@imcworldwide.com