Mexican drones for use in precision agriculture operations
By Adina Moloman
Source: www.noticias.terra.es
Scientists from CISESE together with an Aerospace Mexico Corporation, Quetzal Aeroespacial, are working on fomenting precision agriculture operations in Mexico.
Quetzal Aeroespacial is a Mexican company located in Queretaro and is specialized in the design and development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to provide products and services aimed to the civilian sector.
CICESE, located in Ensenada, Baja California is the largest of the 27 research centers coordinated by Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) with more than 500 researchers. Their main research areas are telecommunications and electronics, marine biology, microbiology, seismology, geology, optics, computer science, physical oceanography, marine ecology, among others.
Together they were investing in the research and development of small-unmanned aerial vehicles-drones to make them easier to use in Mexico farming industries. Before that, the company’s products didn’t have agriculture applications.
The company system captures high definition photo images and videos for a more recent use in precision agriculture operations.
The Benefits of Drones for crop surveillance can drastically increase farm crop yields because determining potential yields and limiting problems in a short time. Academics from CISESE and specialist from the Mexican aerospace company are adapting a company drone solution in precision agriculture. The solution consists in seeing the true health of the fields in a color contrast. This allows agricultures’ to see how much sunlight the crop canopy absorbs. Other benefits include the management of weeds, pests and disease and at the same time reduced environmental impacts.
The advantage of utilizing drones in agriculture will help farmers to monitor and make decision on the application of water, fertilizer and pesticides.
Their product is expecting to help farmers and agri-businesses in Mexico improve their economic performance. The company is considering not selling the product but to give the service to Mexican agricultures at an affordable price.
