Machinery & Equipment

Senegal boosts plant protection with new drone technology.

Senegal is taking a major leap in modernising its agricultural pest-control systems.

The Direction de la Protection des Végétaux (DPV) has introduced six “new-generation” drones to strengthen surveillance and phytosanitary operations across the country. This initiative marks the first time drones are being deployed in Senegal’s plant-protection efforts and underscores the nation’s growing commitment to leveraging technology in agriculture.

According to a communication from the Ministry of Agriculture, the drones are capable of covering 25 hectares of farmland per hour, enabling the DPV which has overseen crop monitoring and phytosanitary control since 1974  to carry out its operations with far greater efficiency and precision.

Beyond increasing productivity, the drones are designed to make fieldwork safer for staff. The DPV emphasised that the technology will “reduce staff exposure to chemical treatments, improve response times, and elevate the overall quality of interventions.” This innovation not only accelerates pest control measures but also ensures that interventions are more targeted and environmentally responsible.

The successful integration of drones into Senegal’s agricultural system is credited to a strategic partnership with the country’s Air Force. Under the leadership of Colonel Ousmane Ngom, a dedicated team of remote pilots and technicians has been trained to operate these advanced machines, ensuring that the technology is used effectively and safely.

The introduction of drones is particularly timely given the ongoing pest challenges facing Senegalese agriculture. In its 2023 report, the DPV highlighted the spread of the Fall Armyworm, which was first detected in Senegal in 2018 and continues to migrate between departments, posing a significant threat to maize crops. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this pest alone accounts for losses of approximately 18 million tonnes of maize annually across Africa.

In addition to the Fall Armyworm, the DPV continues to monitor other damaging pests, including locusts, blister beetles, and fruit flies  the latter of which is especially destructive for mango production.

For Senegal, the adoption of drone technology represents a clear shift towards precision agriculture and modern farming practices. The country aims to enhance food security, improve agricultural resilience, and deliver faster, safer, and more effective pest control measures. As the DPV deploys these aerial tools for the first time, Senegal is positioning itself at the forefront of agricultural innovation in West Africa.

Zamfara, MOFI partner on mechanised farming.

Zamfara State has taken a major step towards reshaping its agricultural future, as Governor Dr Dauda Lawal formalised a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).

The agreement aims to accelerate large-scale mechanised farming, agro-industrial development, and modern agricultural practices across the state.

The deal was sealed during the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) Market Days 2025, held from 26 to 28 November in Rabat, Morocco. The forum, widely recognised as a premier platform for advancing investment-ready projects across the continent, brought together African investors, financiers, and policymakers to fast-track funding partnerships. According to Governor Lawal’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the gathering allowed governments and investors to negotiate directly and push major economic initiatives towards implementation.

Organised by the African Development Bank in collaboration with six founding institutions, the AIF Market Days served as a multidisciplinary space for unlocking capital, strengthening private-sector engagement, and enhancing collaboration on Africa’s development priorities. Governor Lawal participated in several high-level discussions centred around boosting private investment, expanding public-private partnerships, and raising domestic financing for long-term growth.

Speaking on the new agreement, the governor’s spokesperson noted its strategic importance, explaining that “The agreement positions Zamfara State as a key beneficiary of the Integranium Agricultural Transformation Initiative—a national programme focusing on mechanised farming, agro-processing, post-harvest systems, and global market access.” The arrangement provides a clear division of responsibilities: “Under the MoU, Zamfara will provide land, infrastructure, security, and a supportive policy environment, while MOFI takes the lead on financing, investor engagement, and project development support.”

This partnership is expected to unlock new employment opportunities, enhance food security, strengthen agricultural value chains, and support inclusive economic growth across Zamfara and the wider North-West region. The focus on mechanisation, modern processing, and market expansion places Zamfara in a strong position to attract global and local agribusiness investors.

During a roundtable session with international investors, Governor Lawal portrayed Zamfara as a rapidly developing agricultural destination. He highlighted major projects underway in the state, including an international cargo airport, a luxury five-star hotel, and significant urban renewal efforts. Emphasising Zamfara’s natural strengths, he said, “I am glad that the African Development Bank is here with other leading international investors. Agriculture is the way forward for Africa, Nigeria, and especially Zamfara State. We have fertile land and grow a variety of crops—our comparative advantage is clear. I invite all global investors to Zamfara.”

With this partnership now in motion, Zamfara positions itself for a new era of agricultural transformation driven by mechanisation, investment, and sustainable growth.

GEA’s new water-saving solution is a game-changer for dairy farmers looking to reduce their environmental footprint and operational costs.(Image credit: GEA)

GEA has introduced an innovative water-saving solution for its DairyRotor T8600 and T8900 milking systems, designed to reduce freshwater consumption by up to 30% while maintaining high standards of cleaning performance and hygiene.

This new feature is part of GEA’s commitment to sustainability and can be applied to both new installations and retrofitted to existing systems, helping farms of all sizes improve their resource efficiency.

Efficient Water Use with Recycled Post-Rinse Water

The core of this advanced water-saving solution lies in the reuse of post-rinse water for the subsequent pre-rinsing process. By integrating this function, GEA has developed a system that not only cuts down on freshwater use but also ensures that the milking equipment continues to be thoroughly cleaned. The system includes the installation of an additional collection tank that stores the post-rinse water, which can then be fed back into the pre-rinsing cycle.

GEA offers two versions of this solution to suit different farm setups:

Pump Solution: A pump actively transfers water into the rinse tank, ensuring efficient circulation of reused water.
Gravity Solution: A space-saving, passive system that uses an elevated container to collect and reuse water, without the need for moving components.

Both solutions are supported by advanced valve and pipe technologies, ensuring that water is directed into the reuse cycle safely and effectively. It’s important to note that only fresh water, free from cleaning agents or disinfectants, is suitable for reuse.

Sustainable Milking with TÜV Validation

As part of GEA's "Add Better" portfolio, this new feature is TÜV Rheinland-validated, ensuring it meets high standards of sustainability and resource conservation. TÜV is a leading global provider of independent testing and certification, adding credibility to the water-saving benefits of this system.
Ideal for a Wide Range of Farms

This water-saving solution is suitable for farms of all sizes, particularly those in areas where water is either scarce or expensive, or where stringent legal requirements for resource conservation are in place. Farms facing economic pressures can also benefit from the reduced operating costs, all without compromising cleaning quality.

Additionally, GEA offers the flexibility of retrofitting the system to existing group parlours and DairyRotors, such as the washer Sinetherm, Compass Plus, and RCU-Washer of the DairyRotor T8900 with Dematron control. For both new and existing systems, an optional heating element is available to provide an energy-efficient pre-rinse cycle with preheated water, further enhancing resource efficiency.

Integration with GEA DigiTron for Seamless Farm Management

The new water-saving solution is fully compatible with the GEA DigiTron control unit, introduced earlier this year with the DairyRotor T8600. DigiTron offers precise control over the milking process at the animal level, providing easy operation, robust hardware, and straightforward maintenance. When connected to GEA's central DairyNet software platform, the system allows for comprehensive analysis of milking, cleaning, and maintenance processes across the farm. DigiTron is highly scalable, making it suitable for a wide range of farm sizes and automation levels.

GEA’s new water-saving solution is a game-changer for dairy farmers looking to reduce their environmental footprint and operational costs. By making the most of available resources and ensuring effective, consistent cleaning, it offers a sustainable and efficient way to improve dairy operations.

NECO’s innovative drying technology offers a more effective, consistent, and efficient way to dry grain. (Image credit: ABC Africa Group)

When it comes to drying grain, maintaining the right kernel temperature is crucial to ensuring the final product meets high-quality standards.

Overheating the grain during the drying process can lead to irreversible damage, affecting the overall quality. Studies have shown that even kernel temperatures as low as 60°C (140°F) can significantly harm the grain’s quality. This is why many buyers of grain, especially those dealing with specialty crops, insist that their suppliers use lower drying temperatures to prevent heat damage.

Traditional dryers often struggle to maintain uniform drying conditions. In these systems, while some grains are exposed to temperatures that do not exceed the critical threshold, many others are subjected to temperatures far beyond what is ideal. This inconsistency can result in significant quality issues, including heat damage, stress cracks, and a decrease in test weight. Unfortunately, lowering the drying temperature to avoid this damage comes at a cost: it negatively impacts the dryer’s efficiency and capacity.

However, NECO dryers address these challenges by offering a solution that delivers consistent and even drying throughout the grain batch. With their innovative design, NECO dryers ensure that each kernel receives the same level of exposure to the heated air, preventing overheating and preserving the grain’s integrity. This process results in higher-quality grain with fewer stress cracks, no heat damage, and better test weight, all while maintaining optimal drying efficiency.

The Science Behind Grain Drying

Grain is typically dried by passing heated air through it, allowing the air to flow around each kernel. Because the air starts with low humidity, it has a strong capacity to absorb moisture. As the air flows through the grain, it absorbs moisture from within the kernels, and the evaporative cooling effect reduces the temperature of the wetter kernels. This process helps ensure that the grain doesn't heat up too quickly, preventing potential damage.

However, as the grain becomes drier, less moisture evaporates, and the temperature of the kernels rises closer to the temperature of the heated air. In traditional dryers, especially crossflow dryers (often called screen dryers), this process leads to uneven drying. Grain in the centre of the drying column is exposed to heated air for an extended period, resulting in over-drying and overheating. Meanwhile, the grain on the outer edges of the column remains under-dried due to inadequate exposure to the hottest air. This inconsistency not only compromises grain quality but also reduces the efficiency and capacity of the drying system.

How NECO Mixed-Flow Dryers Offer a Better Solution

NECO's mixed-flow dryers tackle these issues head-on by constantly moving the grain past a series of unique hot air ducts. This ensures that every kernel is exposed to the hottest air at different points throughout the drying process, promoting even drying across the entire batch. The continuous movement of the grain, combined with the gentle mixing, helps prevent overheating and ensures that no kernels are exposed to excessive heat for too long.

Additionally, the design of the NECO dryer improves airflow through the grain, enhancing both drying efficiency and capacity. The even exposure to hot air ensures that all grain is dried uniformly, with none of it being over-dried or under-dried. As a result, kernel temperatures remain consistently low, preserving grain quality, reducing stress cracks, and eliminating heat damage. The outcome is a higher-quality product with improved test weight, making NECO dryers an ideal choice for farmers and grain processors who value both efficiency and superior grain quality.

NECO’s innovative drying technology offers a more effective, consistent, and efficient way to dry grain. With uniform exposure to heat, these dryers eliminate the risks associated with traditional systems, ensuring that every batch of grain meets the highest quality standards.