26 The concept of using drones for pesticide application is gaining momentum in South Africa’s forestry industry. With its rugged and vast landscapes, South Africa’s forestry sector is increasingly looking to drones for tasks that traditionally require labor-intensive knapsack applications or costly aerial alternatives. Drones offer several potential advantages in terms of precision, efficiency, and environmental stewardship, that could prove to be particularly beneficial when managing pests and enhancing land management practices. However, operating drones for pesticide application involves strict regulatory compliance, partly due to the way in which drone use has been regulated under South African Aviation law but also due to the sensitivity of the substances involved and the safety considerations surrounding aerial applications of pesticides. Advantages of Drone Usage in Forestry The versatility of drones opens their use to multiple forestry applications. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, drones can navigate challenging terrain and forestedareaswith highprecision, significantly reducing soil compaction and mechanical damage to trees and understory plants. With precise GPS-enabled flight paths, drones can minimize pesticide usage by targeting only affected areas, promoting a more sustainable approach to pest control. Moreover, drones have a smaller footprint not requiring airstrips with fixed water points to operate from, aligning with the forestry sector’s goals for resource conservation. Additional uses for drones in forestry include: • Surveillance and Monitoring: Drones can capture high-resolution imagery and videos to assess forest health, track growth patterns, and monitor pest activity as well as farm security. • Fire Damage Assessment: Drones provide a safer and faster alternative for assessing fire-damaged areas, helping foresters decide on control measures to prevent further degradation. • Operational Planning and Research: By providing accurate aerial data, drones assist in planning forestry activities and conducting research on pest and disease outbreaks. Regulatory Framework for Drone Applications in Forestry South Africa’s regulations governing drone usage for pesticide application are extensive and multitiered, falling under several acts and standards to ensure the safe, controlled, and effective use of these devices: • Act No. 36 of 1947 (Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies, and Stock Remedies Act): This act specifies that pesticides intended for aerial use must be labeled accordingly and provide clear directions for such applications. How drones are transforming pesticide application in South African forestry PHOTO: Roger Poole – Jacqui Meyer, TIPWG Coordinator –
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