TPHPA to get aircraft, drones for modern farming

DODOMA: THE Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) has been directed to begin immediate procurement of three aircraft and a fleet of drones to support aerial agricultural operations in the country.

The Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe gave the directive in Dodoma last Friday during the reception of a plane worth 6.0bn/-, part of a broader strategy to modernise pest control and boost productivity in the agriculture sector.

Bashe said the procurement process should start immediately saying that the budget for 2025/26 has already been approved and there should be no delays.

“We must start the process immediately,” said Mr Bashe, “… the paperwork can start now.”

The plan includes the establishment of aerial agriculture centres in Arusha, Dodoma, Mbeya and Mwanza, each equipped with modern infrastructure, laboratories and technology.

Mr Bashe said more than 70 per cent of the ruling party’s manifesto centres on agriculture, making the initiative critical to achieving development goals.

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He said 36 drone centres will also be developed for surveillance and pesticide application and called for designated land for these operations. He added that while the country’s environment naturally attracts birds that feed on locusts, red locusts remain a major threat due to their sudden invasions

TPHPA Director General Prof Joseph Ndunguru said aircraft availability will improve pest control efforts following recent successes in combating infestations across the country.

“These interventions highlight the urgent need for aerial resources to sustain pest control operations,” said Mr Ndunguru.

He said the Authority controlled rats in 16 regions, 54 districts and 540 wards, saving 358,895 acres of maize and other crops. Also, over 200 million quelea birds were eradicated in 18 councils, protecting 220,163 hectares of farmland and 1,463 metric tonnes of crops.

TPHPA also addressed fall army worm outbreaks across 83,180 hectares, saving 332,732 metric tonnes of cereal crops. In Dodoma and Singida, red locusts were controlled on over 800 acres.

He said once the process is complete, TPHPA will have four planes, reducing reliance on leased aircraft from Kenya and improving regional response capacity.

“By using these aircraft, we can reach wider areas faster, reduce pest impact and protect national food security,” said Mr Ndunguru.