Baidoa - In an effort to increase efforts to combat climate change and environmental degradation, the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) through Aermatica3D has trained officials from the Southern State's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change -West on the application of agricultural drones for the release of seeds for reforestation. Aermatica3D has specifically designed and developed the S-Box, a seed distribution kit specifically integrated on the DJI Matrice M300 drone which uses the BLY3D app for managing the kit and ground data collection. The seeds are coated with charcoal mixed with fertilizer to prevent the seeds from being eaten by insects and birds. When these “seed balls” are dropped into the target area, once exposed to rain, the carbon coating is washed away, exposing the seeds to growth.
The three-day specialized training, held in Baidoa, provided Somali Ministry of Environment officials with practical skills and knowledge on the precise use of drones to release tree seeds for reforestation in hard-to-reach areas.
Ms. Idil Muse, Technical Advisor to the South West State Minister of Environment and Climate Change, said the newly acquired skills will greatly enhance the Ministry's ability to implement large-scale reforestation projects and expressed gratitude to UNSOS for the noble initiative.
“The training was impactful; we benefited a lot from it,” said Mohamed Jama, UNSOS environmental affairs officer who also attended the training. “Using drones to release seed balls to improve plant cover is new to us. We know how climate change has affected Somalia and are happy to have acquired the new skills to make a difference in our communities,” Mohamed added.
Christine Wachira of the Field Technology Section (FTS) of UNSOS said that previously, the FTS had trained on Micro Unmanned Aerial Systems (MUAS) operations to improve the operational effectiveness of troops and had now expanded the scope to support environmental initiatives.
The training, conducted by the Environmental Unit, under the Office of the Director of Mission Support and the Geographic Information System Unit under the FTS, covered various aspects of drone operations, including flight planning, Seed payload and maintenance. Participants got hands-on experience with drones and learned safety protocols to ensure responsible and effective use of the technology.
According to Richard Oyoo, head of the UNSOS Environment Unit, the use of drones for seed dispersal is expected to significantly increase the efficiency of reforestation efforts, which are often laborious and time-consuming when done manually.
“Due to the security situation in Somalia, we had to come up with innovative ways to plant trees and take care of the environment. We had this idea of using drones to drop capsules containing seeds in inaccessible areas,” said Dr. Oyoo. He highlighted the importance of using the technology as part of the broader efforts of the United Nations in Somalia to mitigate their carbon footprint from the operation of diesel generators and minimize the negative impact of its operations in Somalia by increasing tree planting as well as improving renewable energy.
Dini Abdinur Mohamed, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the South West State, highlighted the importance of incorporating technology into environmental conservation initiatives, particularly in Somalia. “The South West is one of the regions most adversely affected by climate change. To be part of this innovative drone training, which will eventually be used to plant trees to increase our vegetation cover, is great, to put it mildly,” he said. the minister stated.
Today we are with Roberto Remagni Buoli, from the Buoli Attilio di Remagni Silvio e C s.n.c. company, a company that has been contracting in the agricultural sector for almost eighty years. We had the chance to talk about drones and biological control of tomato spider mites and corn borers.
Aermatica3D: Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you met Aermatica3D?
Roberto Remagni Buoli: We are a company that does service contracting in agriculture. For ten years we have offered treatments on corn using the stilt. In 2016, tired of being in contact with the insecticide, we decided to stop. At Verona Agricultural Fair in February 2016 we saw a drone offering treatments against trichogram borer and we decided to try it on our plots. After two years of excellent results, we have obtained the necessary certificates to use a drone. In 2018, Marco Zambelli, CAI-Consorzi Agrari D'Italia agronomist, advised us to purchase Aermatica3D drones solutions. The General Manager of Aermatica3D, Eng. Paolo Marras, gave us a demonstration of the DJI Matrice 100 product with the D-Box capsule distribution kit and we immediately fell in love, a very precise, intuitive and simple to use system. From there it all started. In 2024, we upgraded to a DJI Matrice 350 with integration of Aermatica3D Agriculture Kits.
Aermatica3D: How long have you been working in the drone sector and how did you come to specialize in agricultural services?
Roberto Remagni Buoli: I have been working in the drone sector since 2018. The specialization in agricultural services was born from the need to find more effective and sustainable solutions compared to traditional methods.
Aermatica3D: What are the main benefits of using drones in biological control compared to traditional methods?
Roberto Remagni Buoli: The main benefits are respect for the environment and the absence of trampling of the ground, guaranteeing greater sustainability for the operator and the ecosystem.
Aermatica3D: Can you describe how the release of Trichogramma brassicae occurs via drones for corn borer control?
Roberto Remagni Buoli: The release of the Trichogramma is very simple with the Aermatica3D app. You arrive in the field, define the boundaries together with the farmer, enter the working parameters, fill the container and the drone does everything else autonomously.
Aermatica3D: What specific technologies and equipment do you use for this type of work?
Roberto Remagni Buoli: We use the M350 for its greater battery life and capacity. The Aermatica3D App, together with the distributor, guarantees precise work with georeferenced reports. Additionally, we are using the K-Kit for phytoseiid releases.
Aermatica3D: In terms of costs, how does the use of drones for biological control compare to manual or chemical methods?
Roberto Remagni Buoli: The use of drones is competitive in terms of costs, especially considering the reduction in foot traffic and the effectiveness of the release of biological agents without the use of chemicals.
Aermatica3D: How much time do you save using drones for the release of biological agents such as Trichogramma brassicae compared to traditional methods?
Roberto Remagni Buoli: With the M100 I was able to cover 100 hectares in a day, while with the M350, thanks to the greater autonomy and capacity, we can reach 150 hectares a day without problems. We saved about 30% in costs compared to manual methods.
Aermatica3D: What feedback have you received from your customers on the effectiveness of biological control carried out with drones?
Roberto Remagni Buoli: The feedback was very positive. Customers appreciate the precision and effectiveness of biological agent delivery via drones, as well as the environmental benefits.
Aermatica3D: Can you share some results or success stories that demonstrate the effectiveness of this technology?
Roberto Remagni Buoli: A significant example was the success in controlling the corn borer over large areas, where we drastically reduced the infestation thanks to the precise and uniform release of Trichogramma brassicae.
Aermatica3D: What are the main challenges you have encountered in using drones for biological control?
Roberto Remagni Buoli: The main challenges were related to training and equipment management. However, with the experience and support of Aermatica3D, we managed to overcome them effectively.
Aermatica3D: How do you see the future of the use of drones in agriculture, in particular for the biological fight against parasites such as the red tomato spider mite and the corn borer?
Roberto Remagni Buoli: The future of the use of drones in agriculture is very promising. Technology will continue to evolve, offering increasingly efficient and sustainable solutions for fighting biologists.
For more informations, contact us at info@aermatica.com
Agriculture is experiencing an unprecedented digital transformation, thanks to the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as drones. Aermatica3D, leader in the sector of drone solutions for agriculture in Italy, in collaboration with Agronica IBF, is excited to present the latest innovations in the field of precision agriculture. The event "At the root of sugar: beetroot in the field", organized at the Bortolan company in Pegola di Malalbergo (BO), on Wednesday 12 July, will offer a unique opportunity to discover how drones are revolutionizing the agricultural sector.
Introducing the Latest Solutions with Drones in Agriculture:
During the COPROB event, Aermatica3D will showcase the latest drone solutions specially designed for agriculture. It will be possible to see the DJI Agras T30 and T10 drones for distribution of liquids and solids, as well as the DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral, which uses multispectral cameras to collect detailed crop data. This data allows farmers to identify areas of stress, monitor plant health, and plan irrigation and fertilization more accurately and efficiently.
The Importance of Precision Agriculture:
Precision agriculture is becoming increasingly essential to address the current challenges related to sustainable food production. Thanks to the use of drones for the distribution of biological treatments and modern data collection technologies, farmers can optimize resources, reduce the use of treatments, improve crop quality and increase overall productivity. Aermatica3D is at the forefront of providing advanced solutions that help farmers adopt more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.
Participate in the Event and Discover the Possibilities of Innovation with Drones in Agriculture:
If you are interested in discovering the latest drone solutions for agriculture and the potential of precision agriculture, do not miss the event "To the root of sugar: beets in the field". The event will be held on Wednesday 12 July at the Bortolan Company in Pegola di Malalbergo (BO). It will be possible to view demonstrations with drones, participate in informative presentations and interact with industry experts.
For more information on Aermatica3D and their drone solutions for agriculture, visit the website www.aermatica.com or contact us at info@aermatica.com. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the evolution of agriculture and discover how drones are transforming the agricultural sector.
From 19 to 21 May Aermatica3D will be at FORLENER - the Wood Energy Exhibition. We are waiting for you at Getto Macchine Agricole stand (Pavilion A Stand 17) with our innovative solutions for drones tailored to your needs! Visit our stand to see the DJI Agras T10 drones for agriculture and the DJI Enterprise Mavic 3 Multispectral drone for surveys, the perfect combination for precision agriculture.
FORLENER is the Italian fair that has been showcasing the entire supply chain for forestry, wood and energy since 2001. An organic exhibition event, from forestry mechanization to the energy valorisation of woody biomass through appliances and systems for domestic heating and cogeneration.
Come and visit us at Pavilion A Stand 17 in Erba (CO) at Lariofiere
