MBR SEPTEMBER ALL LR

Malta Business Review
AGRI-DRONES
ERC STORY
Malta Business Review
Drones help Maltese farmers
identify water shortages By Terence Mirabelli
Global warming is a reality, and it is not just
higher temperatures but also less rain that is
affecting local farmers, olive and vine growers.
Only recently, Malta’s main wine growers
were warning of the dire circumstances they
face because of the lack of rain and the longer
heatwaves.
Rain in the Maltese islands falls mainly during
winter and with a few harsh storms in late
summer, and is inconsistent.
The overall situation is not expected to
improve; farmers and agriculturalists must
adapt and make use of the latest technology
available to ensure that their crops survive,
grow and provide a healthy return on
investment. AgriDrone, a division of IPL, has
the technology to assist local farmers monitor
the wellbeing of their crops more precisely.
Using aerial photography, the company can
identify areas of cultivated fields that require
watering, thus enabling growers to speedily
take action. AgriDrone has the capability of
providing accurate information and early
insights into sowing quality and plant growth
for seasonal crops, as well as the ability to
accurately manage and keep track of plant
count in perennial plantations.
Using drone photography and analysis,
AgriDrone can count plants in the scanned
area, generate a report where the number
of counted plants is compared to the
recommended set and other details where
applicable.
Besides counting, AgriDrone provides reports
on plant health such as weed and pest
detection, plant disease analysis and water
stress. Data provided is precise and easy
to use, helping farmers make quick and inseason
course corrections to maximise crop
efficiency.
AgriDrone can supply seven types of analyses
which can be used to gain accurate and
reliable information about plant counting or
plant health monitoring: plant population,
stand count, weed analysis, pest analysis,
water stress analysis, plant disease analysis
and plant stress analysis.
“All that is required is to fly over a designated
area at regular intervals and photograph
the fields”, explains IPL Managing Director
Terence Mirabelli.
“The aerial photographs are then analysed –
it normally takes up to 48 hours for this. The
photographs and analysis are then sent to
the farmer or grower for him to action”, add
Mirabelli. “It’s simple and effective”.
“In today’s climate, all produce growers need
to know their fields are well irrigated. We can
provide that knowledge speedily and help
avoid loss of revenue”. MBR
For more information and pricing of
AgriDrone, and how it can work for you, call
Terence Mirabelli on 99995201 or email
tmirabelli@me.com.
Credit: Island Publications Ltd
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