Kazakhstan to protect crops with drones carrying beneficial insects

Kazakh scientists have developed a way to send beneficial insects over crop fields by drone, replacing the slow, manual release of natural pest enemies with an automated system.

The BioDrop technology combines biodegradable spherical capsules, a distribution device and an unmanned aircraft. The capsules contain entomophages, including insects from the Trichogramma and Habrobracon hebetor genera. Once they land on a field, the capsules gradually release the insects, which search for and destroy agricultural pests.

The Agriculture Ministry said field trials showed stronger biological protection than traditional manual release. Fourteen days after distribution, the effectiveness of the manual method averaged 70% to 73%. BioDrop reached 81% to 83%.

The drone also sharply reduced the time needed for the work. Releasing the insects manually over the test area took about one to one and a half hours. The same operation with the drone took 10 to 15 minutes, including equipment preparation. That could make biological crop protection faster across large or hard-to-reach areas.

The technology has already been introduced at four farms. Officials said it could later support precision agriculture and work alongside phytosanitary monitoring systems. The beneficial organisms used in such protection target pests including aphids, thrips, whiteflies and spider mites.