Drop the aerosol can, hop on a drone.

In Binh Thanh hamlet, Thoai Son commune, the pioneer of this model is Mr. Cao Van Tan (66 years old). Recognizing the shortcomings of traditional farming methods, which require workers to carry heavy sprayers, waste time, and come into direct contact with pesticides, Mr. Tan invested in and used drones on his family's 33 hectares of rice fields since 2020.

Mr. Tan uses a drone to spray his 33-hectare rice field. Photo: PHUONG LAN

According to Mr. Tan, using drones to spread fertilizer and spray pesticides is a significant step forward. This technology only requires one person to operate the drone to spray pesticides over a large area, shortening the time and reducing labor. As the sun rose over the Thoai Son rice fields, Mr. Tan demonstrated his technique of controlling the drone to take off and quickly cover the rice paddies. In a short time, the drone had completed the spraying job over a wide area, transforming what would have taken hours the old way into... just a few minutes.

The "Footprint-Free Farmland" model brings clear economic benefits. "This model significantly reduces seed, fertilizer, and pesticide use," Mr. Tan stated. On an area of 33 hectares, total production costs decreased by over 399 million VND per year (for 3 crops), thanks to factors such as a 30% reduction in seeds, a 10% reduction in fertilizer, and a 30% reduction in pesticides. Simultaneously, the model increased rice yield by 500 kg/ha/crop, equivalent to an increase of 49.5 tons per year. Total profit from reduced costs and increased yield reached over 740 million VND per year.

The model is not just a simple economic calculation but also a "solution" to environmental challenges. Speaking with us, Mr. Tan said that with fine mist spraying technology, the amount of water needed for spraying is reduced from 300-400 liters/hectare using the old method to only 20-30 liters/hectare when using drones. This difference minimizes chemical residue, prevents soil and water pollution, and brings agriculture closer to the goal of sustainable development.

Not only does Mr. Tan apply advanced technology, but he also makes full use of agricultural waste. Instead of burning rice straw after each harvest, he applies a process of transforming rice straw into organic fertilizer right in the fields by composting it with microorganisms. “This method creates a source of organic fertilizer to supplement the soil, helping me abandon the habit of burning fields and reducing air pollution,” Mr. Tan explained. This is a closed-loop production cycle that optimizes resources and improves the quality of rice grains, while reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers. The combination of technology and organic farming helps Mr. Tan produce rice efficiently and in an environmentally friendly way.

According to Nguyen Ngoc Vinh, Chairman of the Thoai Son Commune Farmers' Association, Mr. Cao Van Tan is a pioneer in thoroughly applying science and technology in the commune with his "Footprint-Free Farmland" model. He combines large-scale production with the successful application of science and technology. "In the coming time, the Commune Farmers' Association will organize training courses and workshops to provide opportunities for farmers to learn practical experience from Mr. Tan, from the application of drones to clean production techniques, aiming to improve production quality and further develop local agriculture," Mr. Vinh said.

PHUONG LAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/bo-binh-xit-len-drone-a470398.html