Farmers spray pesticides using drones.

Many farmers in the province have started using drones to spray pesticides. This application helps reduce costs, save labor, and improve production efficiency.

Faced with the challenges of labor shortages in agriculture, the application of scientific advancements in production is an inevitable trend to reduce labor costs, increase crop yields, and achieve high economic efficiency. Among these advancements, the use of drones for spraying pesticides is becoming increasingly popular. Drone spraying offers outstanding advantages in terms of efficiency, accuracy, cost savings, reduced labor, lower fertilizer and pesticide usage, and high productivity.

Each drone costs between 300 and 600 million VND. Since 2023, Mr. Do Van Thi, residing in Chau Phong commune, has boldly invested in one, both to serve his family's agricultural production and to provide services such as rice planting, fertilizer application, and pesticide spraying for hire to increase his income. "The demand from farmers to rent drones has increased, so I decided to invest in one for my own use and to serve farmers," Mr. Thi shared.

Farmers prepare fertilizer to pour into drone tanks. Photo: TRONG TIN

According to some farmers, using drones for rice planting, fertilizer application, and pesticide spraying helps shorten the spraying time on the same area. Using less pesticide, avoiding waste, contributes to reduced production costs, and minimizing direct exposure to pesticides helps protect farmers' health and the surrounding environment. In addition, the amount of pesticide released from the spray nozzle is very small and fine, evenly distributed across the field surface because the drone's flight path is pre-programmed, avoiding overlapping and resulting in high efficiency in cultivation.

Mr. Nguyen Van Sang, residing in Phu Lam commune, said: “The 3-in-1 drone is very effective, reducing the amount of seeds sown by 50%. Previously, I used the manual method of sowing 20kg of seeds per hectare of rice field, but now with the drone, I only need to sow 10kg of rice seeds per hectare. In addition, spraying fertilizer and pesticides with the drone is more even and faster compared to traditional manual spraying methods.”

Ms. Cao Thi Ut, a resident of Chau Phu commune who cultivates over 8 hectares of rice, said she is very satisfied with hiring drones to spray pesticides to control pests and diseases affecting her rice crops. “Applying fertilizer and pesticides with drones is much easier than the manual method used before. Drones spray and distribute fertilizer evenly, eradicating pests and diseases at the root, allowing the rice plants to easily absorb nutrients and grow well. Since I started using drone services to apply fertilizer and pesticides, my rice crop has been bountiful,” Ms. Ut shared.

According to Mr. Tran Van Thuan, a resident of An Phu commune, in the past, farmers had to carry sprayers on their backs every time they sprayed pesticides, which was heavy and exposed them directly to pesticides, making it difficult to avoid health problems. Now, with drones, he finds spraying pesticides and spreading fertilizer in the fields much easier, faster, and less expensive. "Spraying pesticides with drones uses less pesticide and sprays effectively to the roots. In addition, fertilizer is spread evenly and doesn't cause the rice plants to fall over. Most importantly, there's no need to wade through the fields like before," Mr. Thuan said.

The reality shows that the application of drones in agricultural production is a crucial step in promoting the digitalization of the agricultural sector. This move aims to help realize farmers' aspirations, improve their status and quality of life, and contribute to the modernization and development of sustainable agriculture in the future.

THANH THANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nong-dan-phun-thuoc-bang-drone-a481535.html