An engineer demonstrates the spraying of chemicals on rice fields using an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) to help local farmers. — VNA/VNS Photo Công Mão

The Hà Nội’s People's Committee will allocate approximately VNĐ11 billion (US$432,100) to support organisations and individuals in a two-year trial using unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, to spray chemicals on agricultural land to protect crops.

The plan will be implemented according to Resolution No. 08/2023 issued on July 4, 2023, by the city’s People's Council, using funds from the city's budget for 2024-2025.

In 2024, the drones will be used over an area of 24,972 hectares in the districts of Mỹ Đức, Thạch Thất, Thanh Oai, Phúc Thọ, Mê Linh, Chương Mỹ, Thường Tín, Ứng Hòa, Sóc Sơn, Phú Xuyên and Quốc Oai, with a total budget of over VNĐ6.24 billion ($245,120).

Next year, the drones will be used over 18,959 hectares in the districts of Mỹ Đức, Thạch Thất, Sơn Tây, Mê Linh, Chương Mỹ, Thường Tín, Ứng Hòa, Sóc Sơn, Quốc Oai and Phú Xuyên, with a total budget of VNĐ4.74 billion ($186,190).

The committee has assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with relevant departments and district-level people's committees to supervise the trial to ensure effectiveness and compliance with regulations.

Relevant units have been asked to collaborate with districts, towns and related sectors to compile and evaluate the implementation results, propose solutions and promptly report difficulties encountered during the implementation. — VNS