A high-tech aerial offensive has been launched over the West Kano Irrigation Scheme this week as the government moves to protect local rice farmers from a massive invasion of Quelea birds.
The State Department of Agriculture has announced a strategic partnership to deploy drones to neutralize the threat.
Moving away from traditional, slower methods, the State Department is opting for drone technology to ensure maximum efficiency. Drones offer a surgical approach to bird control, allowing teams to target roosting sites with accuracy while saving on time and resources.
“Aerial spraying using drones is significantly more effective than other methods,” the State Department noted, highlighting the shift toward modern, tech-driven agriculture.
The operation is a joint effort between the National and County governments. The State Department dispatched a specialist team from the Plant Protection and Food Safety Directorate to conduct a confirmatory survey and provide the necessary pesticides (Avicide), while the County Government was tasked with procuring the drone service providers to lead the flight operations.
The Quelea bird is notorious for its ability to decimate entire fields of grain in a matter of days. By deploying drones, the intervention aims to halt the destruction before it hits the pockets of West Kano farmers, ensuring food security for the region.
As the technical experts hit the ground this week, the hum of drone propellers over the irrigation scheme will be a welcome sound for a community determined to protect its golden harvest.