Drone use in agriculture in Malaysia
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Drone Technology Adoption in Malaysian Agriculture
Drone Applications in Malaysian Agriculture: Pesticide Spraying, Fertilization, and Monitoring
Drones are increasingly used in Malaysia’s agriculture sector for tasks such as pesticide and fertilizer application, crop health monitoring, and pest identification. In regions like Sungai Besar, Selangor, drones have made pesticide spraying more effective and efficient, reducing processing time by up to twenty times compared to manual methods. Drones are also being developed to assess plant health and detect field pests and diseases, further supporting precision agriculture practices Khoirunisa2019Nordin2021.
Efficiency and Safety Benefits of Drones in Paddy Fields
In Malaysian paddy fields, drones offer a safer and more efficient alternative to manual pesticide spraying, reducing exposure risks for farmers and cutting spraying time by at least 33%. Drones also help address labor shortages and the challenges of aging farming populations, making agricultural operations more sustainable and productive 2Man2024Nordin2021.
Factors Influencing Drone Adoption Among Malaysian Farmers
Studies show that Malaysian farmers generally have a positive attitude and high intention to adopt drone technology, especially in major rice-producing areas like Kelantan, Terengganu, and Selangor. Key factors influencing adoption include farmers’ attitudes, social influence, economic considerations, perceived risks, and the perceived ease of handling drones. Notably, “drone roles” and “drone handling skill” are highly significant in determining acceptance. Programs that promote drone use and provide training can further encourage adoption 2Man2024Azizul2023+1 MORE.
Technical Considerations: Optimizing Drone Spraying Performance
Research on drone spraying in Malaysia highlights the importance of optimizing flight parameters such as speed and altitude to maximize coverage and effectiveness. For example, a speed of 2.5 m/s at an altitude of 2 meters above crops was found to provide the best coverage in local field conditions. These technical adjustments are necessary due to Malaysia’s unique weather and environmental factors .
Innovations and Future Directions in Malaysian Agricultural Drones
Recent innovations include the development of hybrid drones that combine the long flight capabilities of fixed-wing aircraft with the efficiency of multirotor UAVs, aiming to further improve agricultural operations such as seeding, surveying, and spraying. Autonomous drones with smart monitoring and swarm communication capabilities are also being explored to help farmers monitor crop health, water levels, and pest presence more effectively Mazlan2024Raj2021.
Broader Context: Drones as a Key Technology in Malaysian Agriculture
Agriculture and mapping are among the main application areas for drones in Malaysia, reflecting the country’s commitment to modernizing its agricultural sector. The adoption of drone technology aligns with the goals of sustainable agriculture, supporting both environmental stewardship and economic sustainability while enhancing food security Man2024Gohari2023Hafeez2022.
Conclusion
Drone technology is transforming agriculture in Malaysia by improving efficiency, safety, and precision in key farming activities such as pesticide spraying, fertilization, and crop monitoring. While farmers show strong intentions to adopt drones, further efforts in training, awareness, and technical optimization are needed to maximize the benefits of this technology across the sector Khoirunisa20192Man2024+3 MORE.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Flight Simulation Assessment of a Novel FW-MR Hybrid Agriculture Drone
The novel FW-MR hybrid agriculture drone combines long flight capabilities of fixed-wing aircraft with the efficiency of multirotor UAVs, improving pineapple farm productivity and requiring minimal modification for production.
The Use of Drone for Rice Cultivation in Malaysia: Identification of Factors Influencing Its Farmers’ Acceptance
Farmers' acceptance of drones for rice cultivation in Malaysia is influenced by drone roles and handling skill, which can be improved to better suit their environment.
RECENT DRONE APPLICATIONS IN MALAYSIA: AN OVERVIEW
Drones in Malaysia are mainly used for agriculture and mapping, with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia contributing the most papers.
DOI
Autonomous Drone for Smart Monitoring of an Agricultural Field
The autonomous drone with swarm communication capabilities can effectively monitor agricultural fields, reducing the burden on farmers and improving crop yield.
DOI