Farmer Pang Ronghua uses a drone to fertilize his crop. [Photo/Tide News]

As the spring planting season unfolds, farmers in Tiantai county, Taizhou, Zhejiang province, are actively engaging in the weed control and fertilization of wheat.

Among them is Pang Ronghua, a young wheat grower who has embraced innovative agricultural practices, particularly the use of drones.

In Pang's fields, drones have become the cornerstone of plant protection management, replacing traditional methods. He pioneered the use of drones for seeding and fertilizing several years ago and obtained a drone pilot's license.

Pang now deploys six agricultural drones, providing services not only for his own wheat fields but also for neighboring farmers. Last year, his team used drones to seed 4,666 hectares of land, showing the efficiency and effectiveness of this technology.

"It takes about 15 minutes to complete the fertilization of two mu (0.13 hectares) using small machinery, but with drones, it is only 20 seconds," Pang said.

By following pre-designed routes, drones ensure an even and accurate distribution of fertilizers, leading to uniform crop growth. Additionally, drones enable real-time monitoring and analysis of seedlings, facilitating better management.

Tiantai county has embraced drone technology on a larger scale, deploying 45 plant protection drones to agricultural enterprises and providing them to farmers at no charge. The initiative has significantly increased operational efficiency by five times and reduced the use of pesticides.

Through training programs and educational platforms, 34 farmers have mastered drone operation techniques with the help of the local government.