HARARE, Apr. 17 (NewsDay Live) – The Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe has deployed its first drone-based monitoring system, marking a shift toward technology-driven forest management and data collection.
The Commission conducted initial field operations this week at Ruzawi Forest in Marondera in partnership with Afrostain Farmtech.
In a social media update, the agency said the drones enable real-time data capture using high-resolution cameras and sensors, significantly improving the speed and accuracy of forest assessments.
The aerial systems collect detailed imagery and measurements, which are processed using specialised software to generate precise forest metrics.
“With the drone, we can now estimate tree biomass, helping us understand how much carbon dioxide (CO₂) our forests are capturing,” the Commission said.
“By analysing canopy height and vegetation density, we are also able to calculate tree volume and map carbon storage across the forest. What used to take much longer can now be done faster, smarter and with greater accuracy.”
The Commission said the deployment signals a broader shift toward digital innovation in Zimbabwe’s forestry sector, with technology expected to play a central role in improving sustainability, monitoring, and resource management.
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“This is what the future of forestry looks like — where technology meets sustainability,” it said.
