Melaka Farmers Can Now Rent Drones To Enhance Agricultural Productivity

MELAKA, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- Farmers and padi growers in Melaka can now rent drones from the Melaka Tengah Area Farmers’ Organisation (PPK) to ease activities such as pesticide spraying, liming, fertilising and seeding.

State Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Committee chairman, Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the drone rental service, introduced in June, offers affordable rates to ease agricultural operations.

"The rental cost for pesticide spraying is RM40 per acre, while liming costs RM50 per acre.

“For fertilising, the rate is RM15 per bag, equivalent to approximately 20 kilogrammes of fertiliser, and for seeding, it is also RM15 per bag of seeds,” he said during the Melaka State Legislative Assembly sitting at Seri Negeri here today.

He was replying to a question from Datuk Lim Ban Hong (BN-Klebang), who sought details on government initiatives to help farmers modernise their tools and techniques.

Dr Muhamad Akmal highlighted that the use of drones not only saves time in agricultural tasks but also significantly boosts productivity and yields in the state.

He further noted that RM63,750 has been allocated this year for the development of the honey bee and stingless bee industries in Merlimau, Jasin, and Masjid Tanah, Alor Gajah, benefiting 103 farmers.

He added that this year, the Melaka Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP) also allocated RM700,000 under the Farmers’ Small Machinery and Equipment Ownership Scheme.

Through this scheme, farmers can receive grants covering up to 70 per cent of the machinery's cost or a maximum of RM20,000, specifically for members registered under farmers’ associations in the state.

-- BERNAMA