On September 3, 2020, Deputy Labour Minister Prof. Narumol Pinyosinwat, together with Assistant Secretariat to the Labour Minister Mr. Pakin Sommitthanakun and the Ministry of Labour’s executives, visited and gave certificates to trainees in the drone control course for agriculture at the Community Learning Center of Khlong 2, Thai Noi, Nonthaburi.
The Deputy Labour Minister said that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, places great emphasis on the mutual integration between government agencies and the private sector in a civil state. Such cooperation will enable them to serve people more thoroughly. Today, technology plays a large role in modern life, which even includes the agricultural sector. Unmanned aircraft or drones are used in agriculture to increase efficiency and productivity, and reduce time and resources such as fertilizing, pesticide spraying, and watering. Such technology is a new type of agricultural technology which is gaining more popularity in foreign countries, showing the widespread use of such technology. In Thailand, however, it is known in a smaller circle. Therefore, the training will give farmers more knowledge and understanding of the use of drones in agriculture, helping the sector work faster and resolve labor shortages. In addition, the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Skill Development expects that it will see an increase in the use of drones for agriculture, allowing workers to develop skills until they can develop a new career.
The Department of Skill Development’s Director-General Mr. Vichai Piwsaard, added that the drone control course for agriculture is a project under the cooperation between the Department of Skill Development and Aero Group (1992) Co., Ltd. The project aims to train informal workers in agriculture and the unemployed or laid-off people due to Covid-19. It caters to people interested in unmanned aerial vehicles for agriculture, providing the knowledge and skills to operate unmanned aerial vehicles, serving farmers, and supporting agriculture. The original training plan was a pilot in 3 provinces, namely Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and Nakhon Pathom. The training will extend to Rayong and Phitsanulok.
Managing Director of Aero Group (1992) Co., Ltd. Dr. Kritsada Akkarapatthayakun added that the course in which the training was performed facilitates the knowledge and skills required to pilot agricultural drones before applying for a license. The content covers drone components, parts replacements, transporting, using regulator mixing substances for spraying, operating the automatic flight system, maintenance, operational safety, licensing, and related laws. The training period is 18 hours. For this session, the Nonthaburi Office of Skill Development will select 20 participants interested in the project and be trained in Nakhon Pathom between September 9-11, 2020. In Rayong and Phitsanulok, the training will be conducted in September 2020 as well.
“Using a drone for agriculture will help farmers increase agricultural production. It reduces the risk of direct contact with harmful chemicals and is safer for agriculturists. The training will help raise the level of Thai farmers to become a new generation of farmers. Today, the younger generation is interested in new farming practices and has brought more technology into drones for agriculture. It is a good start for Thai farmers to step towards an agriculture 4.0 phase,” concluded the Deputy Labour Minister.
