DEMONSTRATION OF DRONE TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE CROP MANAGEMENT
Extension Education
Qingren Wang
Vegetable & Pesticide Extension Agent
UF/IFAS
Homestead
Abstract
With rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), the application of drone technologies has shown great potential in agricultural industry. However, growers need to understand the fundamentals, i.e., why it works, how it works, the cost and benefit. The objectives of this extension program are to help at least 60% of participants understand better about the new technology, the affordable cost, advantages, the operation, the government regulation, and the scale of its application by improving their overall knowledge gain by 30% or more. The activities included three field day events with an on-site demonstration and two workshops for data processing and interpretation with pre- and post-tests for the program evaluation. Participants were able to watch the procedures for site selection, the flight parameters chosen, the drone autonomous flight setup, and the operation from the field demonstrations, and to learn the data processing and application from the workshops. A total of 116 participants attended the events and 90 (78%) completed the pre- and post-tests. The result showed that 91% (n=82) had knowledge gain with an increase of 35% in understanding the application of drone technology; 82% (n=74) believed that the application of drone technology would save their time and improve the crop management with the knowledge increase by 42%; and 71% (n=64) would change their practice by implementing the drone technology with the knowledge increase by 30% from the post- vs. pre-pest; 100% (n=90) believed that the various Management Zones derived from the drone and AI technologies based on crop health could provide timely information for their crop management to reduce the yield loss; and 80% (n=72) prefer to use a spray drone for pest management. The impact of this program can provide a platform to help local vegetable growers and stakeholders with the up-to-date technology, improve the application of drone and AI technologies for autonomous farming, and promote the competition of US agricultural industry. The implementation will enhance the Best Management Practice (BMP) for the sustainable agriculture.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Qingren Wang
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Wang, Q. Vegetable & Pesticide Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, Florida, 33030