CRC, CLCPRO and FAO conclude advanced regional drone use training programme in Oman

The Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region (CRC) and the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Western Region (CLCPRO), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), concluded a specialized regional training programme hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in Ar‑Rumais, Sultanate of Oman, from 25 to 29 January 2026.

The programme forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national and regional capacities in the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for control operations, enhancing the protection of agricultural resources and food security from the threat of Desert Locusts.

Over five days, participants received advanced technical and field-based instruction, including practical demonstrations on flight and ULV (ultra-low volume) spraying mechanisms and the use of sensitive cards to analyze droplet deposition accuracy. The training also included hands‑on use of Ground Control Station (GCS) software, automated and manual flight‑path planning — including zigzag and corridor patterns — as well as calibration, filling and cleaning procedures for the Micron U16 spraying drone.

Participants also conducted simulated spray missions using water to reinforce field safety principles, along with training for pilots and ground crews on pre‑flight inspection protocols and spatial‑awareness practices. The programme concluded with a final‑day evaluation exercise.

Mamoon Al‑Sarai Al‑Alawi, Executive Secretary of CRC, emphasized that the programme “builds on the success of the initial initiative introducing drone technology into survey operations, which has strengthened early warning systems, improved data‑collection accuracy and accelerated field response. This marks the transition from pilot testing to full operational integration — empowering national teams, institutionalizing capacity development and ensuring the safe and sustainable use of UAS in support of food security and agricultural protection.”

The programme was implemented with technical and logistical support from specialized partners, enabling participants to develop advanced competencies in integrating UAS into Desert Locust management operations.

Organizers expressed their appreciation to the Sultanate of Oman for hosting this first‑of‑its‑kind regional initiative. They emphasized that the introduction of modern technologies — including UAS and complementary digital tools — strengthens early warning systems and accelerates field response to Desert Locust upsurges, ultimately supporting agricultural production and the sustainability of food security across the region.