Philippines Using Drones to Map Plantations
The Philippines National Tobacco Administration (NTA) has started using drones to map tobacco plantations nationwide, reports The Manila Times.
According to NTA Administrator and CEO Belinda Sanchez, drone technology is part of a digitalization program that will also help validate tobacco plantation data.
The drones’ high-resolution aerial imaging and geospatial analysis will accurately measure plantation areas and will help farmers in estimating the volume of production.
Each of the eight NTA branch offices was issued one DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Drone while an additional unit was provided to the Farm Technology and Services Department.
NTA Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano said the use of drones was in line with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.’s push for modernization and digitalization in the agency.
NTA Deputy Administrator for Operations Nestor Casela and Deputy Administrator for Support Services Benedicto Savellano said the technology would help the NTA in ensuring fairness in tobacco plantation validation and enhancing its regulatory ability.