Utilizing Earth Observation and UAV technologies to deliver pest and disease products and services to end users in China

Locusts and rust diseases are major problems for agriculture globally, including for cereals in China. Currently they are often controlled by blanket-spraying of chemicals so this project aims to reduce unnecessary application of pesticides to improve the efficiency of resource use. The work will provide a comprehensive approach to dealing with these pests by combining earth observation and modelling technology with biological information to develop pest and disease monitoring, forecasting and management service products. Dynamic pest and disease risk assessment and warning maps will enable the Chinese Government and service providers (providing crop pest and disease control) to determine the best areas to spray with pesticides, and to plan flight paths for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/drones) to follow for precise spraying of crops. Applications for biopesticides (biological control agents) will also be investigated and developed. The project will reduce costs of crop protection, leading to better incomes for farmers, and will protect environmental and human health by reducing release of chemicals into ecosystems.