Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The AgriSA platform will enable farmers, district locust officers, and response teams to record observations and track swarm movements in real time, ensuring outbreaks are quickly identified and effectively controlled.
Since August 2025, AgriSA has been working with the Directorate for Climate Change and Disaster Management’s Migratory Pest Division (Southern Region), as well as the Department of Agriculture, to strengthen coordination and operational readiness.
How the platform works:
- Report locust sightings with GPS coordinates and photos;
- Track the distribution and movement of swarms;
- Enable provincial and national teams to prioritise high-risk areas; and
- Support the allocation of equipment, resources, and personnel.
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Janine Byleveld, project spokesperson for AgriSA, said the short turnaround time required to control locust outbreaks prompted the development of the digital monitoring platform.
“[Locust swarms] are constantly on the move and can be in a different place every hour, depending on the phase of the life cycle they are in.
“In previous years, it could take anywhere from 12 hours to three days [for a swarm] to be reported and controlled. [With the new platform] we anticipate a quicker turnaround time for control that will stop the locusts from getting to a stage where they can lay eggs,” she explained.
Report swarms
The farming community and members of the public can report swarms via WhatsApp on 079 467 0702, where users will be guided step by step to record the location and details of swarms.
“Reports are logged on WhatsApp, which is linked to the AgriSA Atlas Platform. The district locust officer is then notified and will go to the location and control the outbreak,” Byleveld said.
She added that AgriSA has already held provincial coordination meetings to ensure that all role players are involved.
The intention is to be collaborative and supportive of existing efforts, and the organisation welcomes any further support and participation that can strengthen the management of locust outbreaks
“We are in constant communication with the [Agriculture] Department to ensure transparent communication. We form part of the bigger picture of ensuring the success of control,” she added.
According to Byleveld, there are plans to expand the platform to monitor additional crop pests and possibly livestock diseases.
“This is only part of the pilot. This platform also allows users to report rural safety issues. We will continue to measure and monitor its success,” she concluded.
