Senegal adds drones to strengthen pest control efforts

SENEGAL – Senegal has started using drones to improve its pest control system, marking a clear shift toward faster and safer field operations.

The Directorate of Plant Protection, known as DPV, received six new drones on November 14 and now plans to use them in routine surveillance and treatment across major farming zones.

A move toward quicker field action

Agriculture accounts for 15 percent of Senegal’s GDP and employs roughly 22 percent of its working population. With pests showing growing resistance and spreading quickly across regions, the government wants stronger tools that help experts act without delay.

The Ministry of Agriculture released a statement on its website confirming that the drones can treat up to 25 hectares of crops per hour. The ministry noted that this capacity will help DPV teams respond faster and with more accuracy during pest outbreaks. Officials added that the technology will also help reduce chemical exposure among workers who spray crops during regular control missions.

DPV leaders highlighted the role of collaboration with the Air Force. The press release stated that “this breakthrough was made possible thanks to a strategic partnership with the Air Force, led by Colonel Ousmane Ngom, which trained a first team of remote pilots and technicians capable of operating these sophisticated aircraft.”

By training its own operators, the DPV now plans to widen drone use during emergencies and routine checks, especially during peak infestation seasons.

Rising pest pressure across the country

Pests continue to threaten food systems in Senegal, where the Fall armyworm has affected maize farms since its first detection in 2018. In its 2023 annual report, the DPV noted ongoing spread from one department to another. Farmers report heavy losses, and many rely on government alerts to prepare for outbreaks.

The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that this pest destroys close to 18 million tons of maize per year across Africa. DPV teams also monitor grasshoppers, cantharides and fruit flies. Fruit flies remain a serious concern for mango farmers, who report high rejection rates when they cannot treat orchards on time.

With drones now part of field operations, the DPV expects quicker scanning of orchards and cropland. The institution believes this will help it act before pests gain ground.

The drone rollout follows other improvements in the country’s plant protection system. Officials have recently strengthened local surveillance networks and introduced new training programs for young technicians entering the sector. These updates show a growing focus on food security, especially as more communities depend on stable harvests.

Authorities believe these combined efforts will help them protect crops more effectively across the coming seasons. The DPV plans to keep expanding its tools and expertise so that field teams respond faster and reduce losses linked to recurring pests.

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