MADA INTRODUCE DRONES

JERLUN 1 April – Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) will make history as the first agency in the country to introduce the use of drones for commercial and large-scale cultivation of rice. Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the technology will be used in the first season of planting for this year involve MADA Paddy Estate Project area of ​​2,000 hectares. “So far MADA through its subsidiary, MADACorp Sdn. Bhd. has six agricultural drones that will be used for the work of spraying. “I understand that the use of drones can reduce up to 20 percent compared to the poison usual. Moreover the use of pesticides can also be cut by up to 30 percent,” he told reporters after launching the Jom Download Bendang 2017 in the village camped, Padang Sera here today. Also present were Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Othman Aziz, who is also Chairman of MADA; Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Ismail Bakar and Deputy Secretary (Development) ministry, Badrul Hisham Mohd.

Ahmad Shabery said the use of drones is part of the ministry’s efforts to introduce accurate and precise farming as practiced in developed countries to ensure that farmers are able to have more lucrative results. Asked to comment on the arguments of some people who do not agree with the use of drones on health factors and the reduction of the workforce, the minister said it was willing to hear the views of any party, including those who specialize in health before the technology is extended to the whole country. “On human health and the threat to any living organism, we can not compromise, but I understand this is not an agricultural drone drone fly as high as that used to take a picture instead just flying as high as two meters enabling controlled spreading poison. “The amount of poison used is also not as much as is used in conventional processes poison. However, we are willing to hear the views of all parties other than farmers met to enlighten and provide training in the use of drones,” he said. In the meantime, he said the early planning MADA to make seeding through direct seeding method of cleaning will not proceed with the farmers asked to do seeding as usual for the season. ThankYou!!.

By,

M Anem,

Senior Agronomist,

Taman Cendana, Melaka City,

Melaka, Malaysia.

(1 Muhharam 1440H).