Tech-driven green pest control safeguards grain in Gui'an

Longbao village adopts IoT technology and drones for rice pest control. [Photo/Zhizhi Guiyang]

Longbao village in Gui'an New Area is exploring a "‌UAV + green pest control‌" model, supported by the Guiyang bureau of agriculture and rural affairs, which utilizes technology to safeguard grain security.

Across 3,163 mu (211 hectares) of rippling rice fields, drones weave a low-altitude net of pesticide mist. Relying on an ‌internet of things (IoT) system‌, the village monitors pest and disease dynamics in real-time, issues timely warnings during critical growth stages, and precisely guides green control measures.

This UAV-enabled unified prevention effort targets crucial pest management during the current key growth phase. Compared to traditional manual spraying, ‌drone operations‌ offer higher efficiency and significant labor savings.

The ultra-fine pesticide mist boasts strong penetration and uniform coverage, adhering more effectively to crop leaves and enhancing control efficiency. Consequently, incidences of ‌rice pests have declined year by year‌.

With backing from the municipal agricultural authorities, Longbao's central IoT monitoring system‌ uses ‌big data analytics‌ to predict infestation trends, enabling early warnings that direct drone deployment for targeted prevention.