To help farmers earn more money, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation is working to create an ecosystem for the application of drone technology in agriculture.
To help farmers earn more money, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Mosti) is working to create an ecosystem for the application of drone technology in agriculture.
According to its deputy minister, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, the application of drone technology in agriculture can boost yields, lessen reliance on foreign labour, and give farmers, particularly those in rural areas, employment opportunities.
Studies show that the use of drones in the agricultural sector can provide farmers with precise information about the application of pesticides and fertilisers as well as the state of their crops.
In a statement released today, he claimed that this “allows an increase in crop productivity of around 30% and a reduction in operating costs of 20% and, therefore, contributes to an increase in the income of farmers.” He claimed that STI, particularly in the areas of agriculture and plantations, had great potential and could offer the best solution.
Through Mosti, the government is dedicated to working with numerous related parties to adopt technological solutions that effectively guarantee the security of the food supply at a fair price.
Artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced drones are now widely used for smart farming, helping farmers with a variety of tasks from analysis and planning to actual crop planting and follow-up field monitoring to assess health and growth.
Drones are increasingly being used for a variety of uses, such as filming events, selling homes, and playing a role in modern warfare and anti-terrorism. Drones are also being used in agriculture to fight pests that steal crop yields (insects, weeds, diseases).
Drones can also significantly improve our ability to monitor crop growth and spot nutrient deficiencies. By scanning the field first and calibrating the precise quantity of water or fertiliser to be sprayed in the appropriate areas, drones are also excellent for crop spraying. Crop spraying using drones is said to be five times faster than using conventional farm equipment.