Introducing drones into orchards.

From rice paddies to orchards, drones are opening up new avenues for water-saving farming, reducing production costs, improving efficiency, and promoting digital transformation in agriculture.

Improve accuracy in pesticide spraying.

In recent years, along with the trend of applying high technology to agricultural production, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) are no longer an unfamiliar sight in the rice fields of the Mekong Delta. Notably, these devices are gradually being introduced into fruit orchards, especially in Dong Thap - a province with one of the largest fruit tree areas in the Mekong Delta region.

Technicians prepare the solution before operating a drone to spray pesticides on fruit orchards in Dong Thap . Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

The application of drones not only helps farmers reduce labor and save on material costs but also improves accuracy in spraying pesticides, watering, and caring for crops. This is considered a positive sign in the process of integrating science and technology into agricultural production, contributing to building a modern agricultural sector that adapts to climate change.

In many fruit-growing areas of Dong Thap province, the biggest challenge today is not only applying proper cultivation techniques but also efficiently utilizing irrigation water in increasingly extreme weather conditions.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nho, a farmer from Thap Muoi commune, said that traditional irrigation methods sometimes lead to excess or insufficient water, affecting crop growth.

Farmers can supplement water when needed, but over-irrigating cannot be reversed. Therefore, careful planning is necessary to ensure just enough water is used to save costs while still promoting healthy plant growth. Driven by the need to optimize production, many local farmers, after witnessing the effectiveness of drones on rice crops, have boldly introduced these devices into their fruit orchards.

According to Mr. Nho, drones help distribute pesticides and irrigation water more evenly compared to manual methods. In particular, the amount of water used is significantly reduced while still ensuring the effectiveness of pesticide spraying in orchards.

Demonstrating drone application in a dragon fruit orchard in Dong Thap. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

Mr. Mo Van Tinh, from Tram Chim commune, who has 1.2 hectares of durian trees, said that the application of drones helps reduce the amount of water used for each spraying, thereby extending water storage capacity during hot weather or when droughts and saltwater intrusion occur. The amount of water is reduced, but the effectiveness is still ensured. Thanks to this, farmers save water to cope with prolonged adverse weather conditions.

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In addition to saving water, many farmers have also reported a reduction in pesticide use thanks to the precise spraying capabilities of drones. This contributes to lower input costs and minimizes environmental impact.

More complex operations in rice fields.

Along with the increasing demand from farmers, drone service teams operating for fruit production have begun to form in many localities.

However, according to drone service providers, operating drones in orchards is much more complex than in rice paddies. Operators must calculate the appropriate altitude, wind direction, canopy density, and water requirements for each type of tree.

While drones can operate in rice paddies over wide areas with few obstacles, in orchards, the dense canopy requires more precise control techniques to ensure that pesticides or water are evenly distributed from the canopy down to the roots of the trees.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, who cultivates 6 acres of dragon fruit in Thanh My commune, said that initially his family was hesitant about the effectiveness of drones. However, after using them several times, he found that the plants were sprayed evenly, significantly reducing time and labor.

Drone sprays pesticides on the orchards of Mr. Mo Van Tinh's family in Tram Chim commune, Dong Thap province. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

"Previously, spraying pesticides required mobilizing many workers, wasting time and money. Now, drones are much faster while still ensuring even coverage of the plants," Hai said.

In the context of continuously rising agricultural input prices and increasing rural labor shortages, the application of technology is an inevitable direction to enhance the competitiveness of the fruit industry.

The emergence of drones is not simply a change in a production tool, but also reflects a shift in people's agricultural mindset. From production heavily reliant on experience, farmers are gradually adopting precise, cost-effective, and technology-based farming methods.

This trend aligns with the digital transformation of agriculture that many localities in the Mekong Delta region are implementing, aiming to build a green, modern, and sustainable agricultural sector.

Evaluating the effectiveness of applying drones to fruit trees, Mr. Tran Thanh Tam, Head of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Dong Thap province, said that this is a technological solution that brings many practical benefits to producers.

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Drones operating over orchards in the Mekong Delta. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

Currently, drones significantly reduce the amount of water and pesticides used in each spraying, while also saving labor costs and shortening the time required for orchard care. The high accuracy of the devices also contributes to improved pest control efficiency, reduced material waste, and minimized environmental impact.

"The bold application of drones by farmers on fruit trees shows that the transition from traditional production to smart agriculture is clearly underway. This is a suitable direction in the context of climate change, increasing pressure on water resources, and the growing demand for improved agricultural product quality."

"The agricultural sector in Dong Thap encourages people to continue accessing and applying scientific and technological advancements to improve production efficiency and develop sustainable agriculture," said Mr. Tran Thanh Tam.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/dua-drone-vao-vuon-cay-an-trai-d814619.html