THE number of drones used in agriculture is increasing in Japan, with some farmers starting to utilise the aerial vehicles for visual inspections of crops and other new purposes, Japan’s Jiji Press reported.

Drones “are effective in promoting data-based agriculture and reducing agricultural work” at a time when many aged farmers are struggling to find successors, says an official at the agriculture ministry’s Technology Policy Office.

In Japan, unmanned helicopters used to spray pesticides, fertilisers and seeds must be registered with a special organisation.

Registration became necessary for agricultural drones in 2015. The number of registered drones reached 673 last month – about three times the level of March 2017.

Drones that spray pesticide have an eight to 10-litre tank. One hectare of rice paddies requires about 10 litres of pesticide.

It usually takes hours for a farmer to finish spraying that amount on a one-hectare area, while a drone can complete the same task in about 10 minutes.

Drones have an edge over conventional unmanned agricultural helicopters, in that they can make sharp turns and do not generate strong winds, which may damage leafy vegetables.

Agricultural drones cost some 2 million yen (RM73,000), far affordable than conventional unmanned helicopters.

Video cameras mounted on drones can be used to check how crops have grown. Computer analysis of captured images can tell farmers where crop growth is slow and provide other valuable information.

Researchers are trying to establish a method to use drones effectively so as to reduce damage on farms from birds and animals.

In their research, drones are flown at night when deer and boars are active. The aerial vehicles capture images on the ground with special cameras, and researchers use the data to consider how to catch such animals.

Another new use is having drones examine damage on irrigation channels and other agricultural facilities from natural disasters including typhoons. – Bernama, February 19, 2018.