Drone piloting over padi fields – A cool job for youths

SUNGAI BESAR: Muhammad Ikmal Hafizi Mohd Nazri’s selflessness in quitting his job to return to his family home in the countryside in Sungai Besar, Selangor, to care for his unwell parents has been unexpectedly rewarded with a new job as a drone pilot.

The 25-year-old enthusiast of remote control gadgetry had never imagined having a job which would be in sync with his hobbies and, more so, to be able to do it back home.

“After I returned to look after my parents, I heard from friends that Koperasi Wawasan Tani Bhd Simpang Lima (farmers cooperative) was looking for a drone operator, so I applied and was appointed,” he said recently.

Muhammad Ikmal Hafizi was one of six candidates chosen from a pool of 30 applicants, to fly the drones to spray fertilisers and insecticide over padi fields.

The young man and fellow drone pilot, Mohd Afiq Haziq Sulaiman, 25, have jointly made modifications to the drones including battery use based on the size of padi fields being attended to.

These changes have enabled the drones to carry an optimum amount of fertiliser or insecticide to sprinkle over the fields, with an average plot measuring about 2ha.

Mohd Afiq, a Malaysian Skills Certificate holder, is among the first few drone pilots of the cooperative and has operated various drones including the DJI Agras MG1, a pioneer model used for padi farms in the area and requiring two pilots at a time.

Muhammad Ikmal Hafizi and Mohd Afiq have learned to control the flying altitude of the equipment and to operate the drones from 6.30am to 11am, and 5pm to midnight, as these are the periods when insects which destroy crops, are active.

These time periods serve as the general work times for the young men, providing them with flexibility which they enjoy.

“We’ve also worked late to help farmers with their work, and at the same time, we need their help at times to move branches and other objects in the fields which obstruct our work,” said Mohd Afiq.

The pair are also members of the cooperative’s youth club Kelab Belia Wawasan and have been certified by the Youth and Sports Ministry to work as drone pilots for the cooperative.

As for the income earned by drone pilots, both young men describe it as “appropriate.”

“Many people have asked me why I’m working in the padi fields when I have a diploma. I feel so satisfied that I get to have a job I enjoy with suitable pay,” explained Muhammad Ikmal Hafizi who began his new job in the last quarter of 2019.

Mohd Afiq in turn, has found that although he earned good pay when employed at a workshop previously, it didn’t feel right and he had “no life.”

Both the young men are hoping that more drones and drone piloting jobs can be made available as they believe there is a shortage, while many other youngsters “have come looking for jobs as drone pilots.” – Jan 29, 2020, Bernama

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