Drone pesticide application brings equivalent or even higher efficacy. Photos courtesy of the Plant Protection Department

HÀ NỘI Agriculture officials and experts learned all about using umanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) to spray pesticides -- and even had a chance to do it themselves -- at a recent training session in Hà Nội.

Applying pesticides using drones ensures equivalent or even higher efficacy when compared to manual spraying with a backpack sprayer, said Huỳnh Tấn Đạt, Director of the Plant Protection Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

He made this statement during the training course, which was attended by 30 officials from 14 organisations nationwide and was organised by the Plant Protection Department in collaboration with CropLife Vietnam and AgriDrone Vietnam Joint Stock Company on September 27.

This is the first training and certification programme for officials conducting pesticide trials.

Participants received updates on new regulations regarding pesticide trials using drones, as well as basic knowledge about the operating principles of aerial devices in agriculture.

They also had the first-hand opportunity to operate the drone for pesticide spraying in rice fields located in Thụy Lâm Commune, Đông Anh District, Hà Nội.

Participants of the training programme operate a drone for pesticide spraying in rice fields located in Thụy Lâm Commune, Đông Anh District, Hà Nội.

The training programme involved the participation and technical support of AgriDrone Vietnam Joint Stock Company, management officials from the Plant Protection Department and technical experts from CropLife Vietnam.

According to Đạt, UAVs are among the important tools for pesticide spraying, fertilisation and seed sowing. The adoption of UAVs in agriculture is in line with government policy and MARD's agricultural production goals, especially applying technology to enhance agricultural efficiency, reduce input costs and increase the value of agricultural products.

Drones are being applied in agriculture in many countries around the world. Some common applications include mapping, inspecting and monitoring crops, pesticide spraying, irrigation monitoring and livestock management.

"The use of this tool in pesticide spraying has yielded significant results, greatly enhancing the awareness of officials directly involved in pesticide trials. Moreover, these officials will also become instructors or guides for their colleagues in the future, helping them to use drones optimally," Đạt noted.

According to the director, the precision of drone applications provides numerous benefits for farmers, helping to save input costs, improve human health and enhance the quality of agricultural products for both consumption and export.

“Drone pesticide application reduces water usage by over 90 per cent, cuts costs by about 50 per cent and sprays 30 times faster than traditional methods,” he said.

In early 2023, the Plant Protection Department issued the Standard on 'Field Trials of Pesticides for Controlling Agricultural Pests Using Drones.' This is considered an important legal and technical foundation for organisations conducting trials to develop procedures and use drones for pesticide spraying.

The use of pesticides has therefore been expanded and made more effective and safer for farmers. This first collaboration between the Plant Protection Department, CropLife Vietnam and various partners is seen as a foundation for building a high-quality workforce. In the future, farmers hope to also be able to operate drones for pesticide spraying.

Drone applications provides numerous benefits for farmers. Photos courtesy of the Plant Protection Department

According to Đặng Văn Bảo, Chairman of CropLife Vietnam, like all other agricultural tools and solutions, the use of drones must comply with existing regulations on pesticide application as well as specific safety standards.

“With this training activity and future initiatives, CropLife Vietnam will continue to collaborate with the Plant Protection Department and partners to develop standardised operating guidelines and improve the registration process to maximise the effectiveness and benefits of this technology for farmers,” he said.

Mai Anh Tuấn, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AgriDrone Vietnam Joint Stock Company, stated that the key to effectively leveraging this technological advancement is collaboration.

The driving force behind the application of drones for pesticides nationwide comes from the active involvement, investment and cooperation between regulatory agencies and businesses. This enhances comprehensive reforms, optimises productivity and ensures safety for farmers, moving toward smart and sustainable agriculture, he added.

At the event, the Plant Protection Department and CropLife Vietnam also announced a technical document on Safety Guidelines for Pesticide Spraying Using UAVs, which aims to promote and instruct on safety principles when applying drones for pesticide spraying. VNS