Drone đưa nông nghiệp cất cánh

Cần sớm có giải pháp phù hợp về ứng dụng drone để phát huy tối ưu công nghệ trong sản xuất nông nghiệp

Vietnamese farmers can now compete with farmers in countries that apply technology and science, including drones (unmanned aerial vehicles - UAVs), to increase production efficiency. However, the application of drones in agriculture still faces many shortcomings that need to be addressed to maximize their effectiveness.

From helicopter dreams to drones

At the April 30th parade in Ho Chi Minh City, a contingent of Vietnamese farmers decorated their parade floats with a large model of a drone. Modern agriculture in Vietnam now utilizes drones flying over fields to assist in various production tasks.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Golden Rice Farm in the Đồng Tháp Mười region of Long An province used military helicopters to sow rice and fertilize fields spanning hundreds or thousands of acres. Over the past 10 years, drones, initially appearing in a few experimental locations, have recently become part of drone air raids across large rice paddies in the delta region. In early April, during a visit to his hometown in a remote area of ​​Long An province, we asked Mr. Tư Một, an elderly farmer in his late 70s, about rice farming. Mr. Tư enthusiastically replied: "Farming is easier than ever. Plowing, harvesting, and drying rice by machine were things of the past. Now, sowing rice, spreading fertilizer, and spraying pesticides are all done by drones. Hiring these services is convenient and the prices are competitive." For many years, drone applications have been seen as a solution to support farmers globally, especially in small-scale production in Asian countries. Drone applications are diverse in agricultural production, including mapping, crop inspection and monitoring, seed sowing, pesticide spraying, irrigation monitoring, and livestock grazing.

According to DJI Agriculture's 2023/2024 In-Depth Report on the Agricultural Drone Industry, the global adoption of drones in agriculture demonstrates the transformative power of emerging technologies in agricultural production. By the end of June 2024, a fleet of over 300,000 agricultural drones of various types had helped manage more than 500 million hectares of farmland worldwide. Many countries are now relaxing regulations, classifying agricultural UAVs as low-risk aircraft and providing guidance on their use in spraying, similar to regulations for ground-based equipment.

Drones are widely used in agriculture around the world. (Image: DJI Agriculture)

The government needs to join hands.

The reality is that the application of drones in agricultural production has convinced farmers because it brings them many practical benefits. Even in terms of labor, it helps address the labor shortage as more and more people of working age in rural areas are "leaving farming," moving to cities and industrial zones for work.

Researchers at MarketsAndMarkets believe that favorable government policies, subsidies, and regulations, along with increasing investment from market participants to promote the use of digital agricultural tools such as drones, are driving the agricultural drone market. Public-private partnerships are fostering innovation in developing suitable solutions. Extensive education and training are also being provided, helping farmers better understand the capabilities of drones, enabling them to use these tools appropriately and effectively.

In Vietnam today, agricultural drone services are mostly spontaneous and independent. However, this is a type of service with special characteristics that require close supervision by relevant authorities. There have been many suggestions for stricter management of agricultural drone services, both to create a more stable and profitable environment for service providers, including individuals, and to ensure flight safety and the proper use of pesticides. The use of drones for fertilizing and spraying pesticides is regulated by Government Decree No. 36/2008/ND-CP. This decree stipulates numerous regulations and standards that any group or individual wishing to use drones in agriculture must comply with. For example, drone operators must be at least 18 years old, possess civil capacity, and hold a flight operator's license issued by a competent authority. Because agricultural drones are specialized flying devices, their operation requires higher standards than other types of drones. However, the reality is that there are shortcomings and laxity in the flight permits and certifications. Particularly dangerous for the environment and detrimental to crops is the indiscriminate use of pesticides, mainly based on the "dosage and instructions" of the drone service itself.

The world has long recognized the benefits of applying drones in agricultural production. Therefore, appropriate solutions for drone application are needed to optimally exploit and utilize the technology in agricultural production; effective cooperation and coordination between the State (relevant agencies) - farmers - drone service providers are necessary.

Save money and minimize exposure to pesticides.

After two years (2021-2022) of field trials on pesticides for pest control using UAVs, led by the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), the "Standard TCCS 830:2022/BVTV on Trials" was developed. The results showed the potential for applying drone technology to spray pesticides, especially on crops such as rice, corn, and fruit trees, with equivalent or higher pest control levels; saving costs, minimizing exposure to pesticides; and saving labor hours.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/drone-dua-nong-nghiep-cat-canh-196250517204910442.htm