Pilot project in Andhra Pradesh surveys over 1,100 hectares to monitor tree health and estimate fruit production
3F Oil Palm Pvt Ltd has completed a major drone survey in Ayyavaram Village, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. This pilot project marks a key step in using drone technology to support palm oil farmers across India.
Over three days, drones flew over 800 plots belonging to 530 farmers. The total area covered was about 1,150 hectares. Using precise GPS mapping, the survey focused on counting trees, checking plant health, and estimating fresh fruit bunches (FFBs).
The Oil Palm Drone Survey: Supporting Farmers with Real-Time Data
By using drones, 3F Oil Palm aims to help farmers spot problems early. This includes signs of pests or poor soil nutrition. Drones can collect this information quickly and accurately.
“This initiative demonstrates our commitment to leveraging technology for smarter and more efficient farming. With the success of this pilot project, we aim to expand drone-based surveys across India covering 30,000 Hectares, 14,000 Farmers, 21,000 Plots supporting farmers with advanced agricultural solutions,” said Kilari Srinivas Rao, Head – Agriculture for 3F Oil Palm Pvt Ltd.
The company believes that data from drones can lead to better farming decisions. That means higher yields and healthier trees for the farmers they work with.
A National Vision for Smarter Farming
3F Oil Palm plans to scale the program across the country. This will give more farmers access to precision farming tools. The goal is to mix modern technology with traditional farming knowledge.
By doing so, 3F Oil Palm hopes to improve India’s palm oil output while also helping the nation become more self-reliant in edible oils.
About 3F Oil Palm Pvt Ltd
3F Oil Palm has worked on India’s Oil Palm Development Program since the early 1990s. The company operates in five Indian states and is committed to advancing sustainable oil palm farming.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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