Using UAVs to Pursue the “Spring” of Agriculture

Recently, the litchi flowers in Zengcheng, Guangdong Province are in full bloom, with clusters of tiny bean like flower buds emerging to adorn the crown with a brilliant glow. Liu Guangzhen, a plant protection drone pilot, skillfully adds clean water to the spraying system, opens handheld devices, sets parameters, plans routes, and directs the plant protection drone to water litchi trees.

Six years ago, an accidental opportunity brought Liu Guangzhen into contact with the drone plant protection industry. When he saw an elderly man who could have lived comfortably still clinging to a piece of loess land and carrying a heavy spray pot to spray pesticides, he felt unspeakable pain.

“We need someone to help them lighten their burdens,” Liu Guangzhen said. Compared to traditional operations, drone plant protection is more efficient and economical. A drone can complete the workload of 20 to 30 people in a day, saving nearly 98 jin of water per acre of land, effectively avoiding excessive pesticides, and reducing the risk of poisoning caused by farmers’ exposure to pesticides during manual control.

In addition to taking into account the work of flying hands, Liuguang Town will provide training to farmers from time to time, explaining knowledge about pesticide use, drone control, and maintenance, and conducting indoor simulation training and field operations to lead farmers to better cultivate with the help of technology.

“At present, the popularization rate of large household UAV plant protection technology in Guangzhou base exceeds 80%, and more and more people recognize my profession, which can be said to be as full of vitality and hope as spring plowing.” Liu Guangzhen introduced. Plant protection drones have been widely used in agricultural production from their original popularity, and the profession of plant protection drone pilots has gradually been recognized by society.