RICE farming in the country has started to be revolutionized following the introduction of “drone seeding” through the use of an artificial intelligence-driven drone made by Bayer Crop Science (BCS) in Paniqui, Tarlac, which eliminates costly and time-consuming labor in rice planting.
The technology demonstration showed the apparent success of using drone to broadcast rice seeds.
“This is the future of farming. We are opening an opportunity for the youth to get interested in farming,” BCS new business activation manager Aaron Cano said during the technology demonstration.
Drone seeder substantially cuts labor and cost of direct seeding, where seed spreading service fee is being placed at only P3,000 per hectare.
Labor cost for transplanting rice traditionally costs P11,000 to P13,000 per hectare.
Instead of a whole day to conduct direct seeding in one hectare, drone seeding for the same area can be completed in only 30 minutes.
“We are preparing farmers for a complete package of smart technology. We can now use the drones to support agriculture modernization. Other countries in Southeast Asia have started to use drones in farming, including Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. Meanwhile, It is already used extensively in China,” Cano added.
Following this development, the BCS has started setting up a “one-stop-shop” for farmers to bring a complete service of hardware, apps and inputs.
“We’re developing that model right now – a complete service that goes beyond distribution of farm inputs. Down the road, we’ll also look at other hardware and applications that collect relevant data on climate, weather and plant health to be provided regularly to farmers,” Cano stressed.
A sprayer, much as the broadcaster, is an attachment of the drone that enables farmers to conveniently spray pesticides or other granulated materials on their crops.
Meanwhile, the Region-3 office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-3) under Director Crispulo G. Bautista has already adopted the drone technology program.
“We are scheduled to have a technology demonstration in mid-December in Candaba, Pampanga. We are also providing other venues for demonstration. Those who want to request to hold demo in their place may just contact us,” DA Region 3 rice program manager Shiela Hipolito said.
The drone, which is registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), has a weight of about 25 kilos and a rice seed loading capacity of 10 kilos. While drone pilots are also registered with the CAAP.
Good seeding has also been observed when land preparation has been done properly.
For now, the introduction of the drone seeding service will be focused in Central Luzon, the country’s rice granary.
“All the data we’re going to get will be part of an integrated agriculture – a complete, integrated solution for smallholder farmers is what we’re aiming for to boost their yield and income,” Cano explained.
Within just a day, about 20 hectares may be planted with the seeds using drones versus one-hectare if done manually. The drone distributes rice seeds aerially from an altitude of 2.5 meters at a speed of one-meter per second./PN
