Thailand Launches Drone Project to Enhance Farming

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has announced the launch of an ambitious project that will deploy hundreds of agricultural drones across 500 local communities. The initiative, known as the 1 Tambon 1 Digital project, is a collaboration between the ministry and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA).

 

According to Minister of Digital Economy and Society Prasert Jantararuangtong, the project is designed to increase efficiency and productivity among Thai farmers by providing them with advanced drone technology. The initiative aligns with the national plan for mobilizing the Thai digital economy and society, focusing on digital safety, security, and maximizing human capital.

 

To support the farmers, DEPA will subsidize 60% of the drone costs, while communities will contribute the remaining 40% through low-interest loans or village funds. In cases where communities cannot afford a loan, the agency will supply a vehicle, contingent on the high demand for drone usage in the area.

 

To ensure efficient use of these resources, communities must meet certain criteria, including training representatives in drone operation and obtaining a drone operator’s license from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.

 

DEPA President Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said the agency has allocated about 200 million baht for drones, training, and a maintenance center. Within a year, they expect to establish 50 service centers nationwide, training 1,000 participants in drone operation and 100 in maintenance. The project aims to cover at least 4 million rai (1.58 million acres) of agricultural land and is projected to generate an economic value of at least 350 million baht in its first year.

 

By Krajangwit Johjit

 

Full story: NNT 2023-11-14

 

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[In the jungle]

This must be about the kickback on the drone sales.

 

I live in a rural area where farming is the main source of income.  Drones are not that expensive.  If drones offered real value they would be here already.

[kickstart]

In my area they have been using drones for a few years now, mainly spraying maize against Fall Army Worm, and against fungus   on rice crops, also applying fertilizer on sugar cane.

With a lot about cost is now 90 baht/rie no shortage work.

So, nothing new around here, and a few other areas.

[edwinchester]

10 hours ago, In the jungle said:

This must be about the kickback on the drone sales.

 

I live in a rural area where farming is the main source of income.  Drones are not that expensive.  If drones offered real value they would be here already.

Here in Kanchanaburi they are being used more and more. Amazing how quickly they can cover an area that used to take all day by 2 or 3 people. Must be cost effective if it's being used by some of the poorest farmers in our village where price is absolutely the deciding factor.

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

To support the farmers, DEPA will subsidize 60% of the drone costs, while communities will contribute the remaining 40% through low-interest loans or village funds. In cases where communities cannot afford a loan, the agency will supply a vehicle, contingent on the high demand for drone usage in the area.

Thai farmers say they can hardly afford the cost of rice seeds/plants... how do you expect them to get into more debt by buying drones?

[Foek]

How about using them to observe and put out fires during burning season ?

[herfiehandbag]

There is a chap locally who has one of these big drones. He seems to be kept quite busy spraying - a good business. Basically you ring him up, explain what you want done, and he turns up, flies the drone and you pay him.

 

Good idea to put it in the hands of civil servants, should make it more straightforward and cheaper to access the service - not!

 

But hey, it's a budget to manage - they will need transport (new pick ups), communications (I phones) and mobile computing infrastructure (I pads). Of course potential users would be wise to keep "on side" with the managers ...

Edited November 15, 2023 by herfiehandbag

[Pique Dard]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has announced the launch of an ambitious project that will deploy hundreds of agricultural drones across 500 local communities

....you said drones? sell them to russia or to ukraine and you'll reap a healthy profit

[KannikaP]

Outside my house, yesterday.

[VocalNeal]

12 hours ago, In the jungle said:

This must be about the kickback on the drone sales.

 

I live in a rural area where farming is the main source of income.  Drones are not that expensive.  If drones offered real value they would be here already.

 

Quite a few crop-spraying-type drones up north according to a mate of mine.

[PETERTHEEATER]

1 hour ago, Foek said:

How about using them to observe and put out fires during burning season ?

They will probably be unstable in rising hot air turbulence and will see only smoke. Tne existing satellite imagery gives adequate coverage. Either way, it comes down to whether the authorities want to prevent burning and, instead, provide alternatives.