Kota bharu: The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) has advised all agricultural drone operators to apply for a valid drone operating licence from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). Dr Ahmad Safuan Bujang, director of Mardi's Engineering Research Centre, stated that the licence is necessary to ensure that drone usage in the agricultural sector complies with established regulations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, to support the use of technology in agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), through Mardi, has initiated a programme to provide free licences to 350 drone operators nationwide. This initiative is part of the 2025 Agricultural Drone Tour programme, held in collaboration with CAAM, where farmers will be educated about regulatory and safety aspects of operating drones. The new certification module, known as the Remote Certificate of Competency-Agriculture Light (RCOC-AL), is a key component of this programme.
Dr Ahmad emphasized the importance of understanding regulations and acquiring the necessary skills to operate drones safely, including knowledge of no-fly zones. He made these remarks during the launch of the 2025 Agricultural Drone Tour for the Eastern Zone. The event was attended by Khalid Samad, chairman of the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA).
Khalid Samad highlighted that KADA encourages farmers and rice farmers to adopt drone technology to enhance work efficiency and increase rice yields. He noted that drones represent a modern approach with significant potential in agriculture, as they can reduce operating costs and time while ensuring more precise application of fertilisers and pesticides.
Khalid added that drones allow for uniform spraying and monitoring with less labour, aligning with KADA's goal to empower the agricultural sector with new technology. He also mentioned that integrating drone technology into crop cultivation could attract younger generations to the field, supporting the country's push towards modern agriculture and aligning with the goals of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.