TCAA calls for drone adoption agric

DODOMA: TANZANIA Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has urged farmers and agricultural stakeholders to adopt drone technology to boost efficiency, reduce costs and increase productivity.

Speaking at the Nane Nane Agricultural Exhibition in Dodoma, TCAA drone inspector Ibrahim Abdallah highlighted drones’ ability to spray one acre of crops in minutes and use infrared technology for vegetation health assessment and yield prediction.

Mr Abdallah noted that drone expertise in agriculture has now advanced to the extent that seed planting can also be done using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

He said 2024 statistics indicate that the largest application of drones in Tanzania is in agriculture, with growing uptake across multiple farming functions.

He highlighted some of the key applications of drones in agriculture as irrigation monitoring, crop mapping, soil assessment and determining the suitability of specific areas for various crop types.

“Many institutions are now using drones for surveying land and analysing soil quality before farming,” he said.

As the aviation regulator, Mr Abdallah said TCAA’s participation in the Nane Nane exhibitions aims to educate stakeholders on drone use in agriculture and ensure they understand the legal requirements involved.

“Besides the practical benefits, there are regulations and procedures that must be followed before operating drones,” he stressed. “This includes registering the drones and acquiring operating permits.”

He further explained that individuals or institutions importing drones for agricultural purposes are required to apply for import permits and register them in the TCAA database for security and safety oversight.

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“Our mandate is to ensure safety and security. But registration also helps drone users gain formal recognition by government institutions, especially when it comes to largescale agricultural projects,” he noted.