South Africa launches AgriSA locust tracking platform

SOUTH AFRICA – AgriSA has launched a digital monitoring system that lets farmers, district officers, and response teams record and track locust swarm movements in real time.

The tool aims to improve the speed and coordination of control efforts across South Africa, where locust outbreaks have caused severe damage to crops in recent years.

Since August 2025, AgriSA has worked with the Directorate for Climate Change and Disaster Management’s Migratory Pest Division (Southern Region) and the Department of Agriculture to strengthen readiness for locust control.

The new AgriSA Atlas Platform enables users to report sightings with GPS coordinates and photos, view swarm movements, and help authorities decide where to send resources first.

AgriSA project spokesperson Janine Byleveld said the need for faster response led to the platform’s creation. “[Locust swarms] are constantly on the move and can be in a different place every hour, depending on the phase of the life cycle they are in. In previous years, it could take anywhere from 12 hours to three days [for a swarm] to be reported and controlled. [With the new platform] we anticipate a quicker turnaround time for control that will stop the locusts from getting to a stage where they can lay eggs,” she told Farmer’s Weekly.

Farmers and the public can report swarms through WhatsApp at +27 79 467 0702. The process guides users to record the location and details of each swarm. “Reports are logged on WhatsApp, which is linked to the AgriSA Atlas Platform. The district locust officer is then notified and will go to the location and control the outbreak,” Byleveld explained.

Coordination and expansion

To make sure all stakeholders are involved, AgriSA has held provincial coordination meetings. “The intention is to be collaborative and supportive of existing efforts, and the organisation welcomes any further support and participation that can strengthen the management of locust outbreaks,” Byleveld said.

She added that AgriSA maintains open communication with government officials. “We are in constant communication with the [Agriculture] Department to ensure transparent communication. We form part of the bigger picture of ensuring the success of control,” she added.

Byleveld also noted that the platform may soon expand to include more monitoring features. “This is only part of the pilot. This platform also allows users to report rural safety issues. We will continue to measure and monitor its success,” she said.

The Department of Agriculture has expressed support for the tool, calling it a timely step toward improving pest control systems. Officials said similar platforms could later help manage crop pests and livestock diseases. The collaboration marks a growing trend in South Africa’s use of digital solutions to protect food security and strengthen agricultural resilience.

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