THE Fiji Sugar Corporation is set to become the first institution in Fiji and the Pacific to deploy spray drones in sugarcane farming.
FSC has procured two DJI spray drones, each with a 20-litre capacity, with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry through its capital grants program.
The move marks a major step in FSC’s efforts to mechanise and modernise the sugar industry while improving farming efficiency and productivity.
Ten FSC officers have begun a 10-day specialised training program at the FSC Training Centre to operate the drones.
The program is being delivered by Aerolab and Drone Trust Consultancy of New Zealand in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) guidelines.
Upon completing the training and receiving CAAF certification, the officers will be eligible to operate the drones for commercial spraying applications.
FSC said it would be the first institution in Fiji and the Pacific to train and certify officers specifically to operate spray drones and put the technology into use for sugarcane growers.
The training program was launched in the presence of Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry director Praneel Naidu and members of FSC’s executive management team.
Mr Naidu highlighted the role of drone technology in advancing agricultural mechanisation and its potential for wider applications across the farming sector.
FSC said the technology could improve crop management, farming efficiency and productivity while contributing to better cane quality and sugar recovery.
The initiative is also expected to provide sugarcane growers with access to modern spraying technology that can make crop management safer and more efficient.
FSC acknowledged the Ministry’s support through its capital grants program, which enabled the purchase of the two drones.
