India is the first country in the world to control Locust through Drones

India has become the first country in the world to control locust by using drones, as the Centre deployed drones, tractor mounted sprayers and fire tender vehicles to undertake locust control in the country.
Under Make in India initiative, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare (DAC&FW), Agriculture Ministry has indigenously developed a vehicle mounted Ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayer for locust control.
In total 60 ground control teams of Locust Circle Offices and 12 drones are being used for locust control operations in the affected areas.
The need of aerial spray for locust control was felt as the ground control vehicles sprayers can spray up to a height of 25-30 feet only. The tractor mounted sprayers also have a limitation in reaching inaccessible areas and tall trees.
Locust is a crop-threatening migratory pest that has entered the country through the India-Pakistan border.