The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) has embraced modern technology by utilizing drones for digital mapping of tobacco plantations. In November 2024, the agency conducted basic drone operations training session for its Mindanao staff and LGU Laguindingan in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. The training focused on operating the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise drone to enhance aerial mapping and data gathering.
Eight NTA Mindanao staff and three personnel from LGU Laguindingan completed the training, which highlighted the theoretical operations of the drone equipment, including its maintenance and safety, and the actual operations and simulation exercises in aerial mapping of the tobacco plantations in Barangays C.P. Garcia and Lapad, both in Laguindingan town, using the equipment.
The participants also learned about the basic operations of drone equipment, maintenance and component handling, flight control and emergency procedures, aerial photography and videography, and mapping applications.
The training is part of NTA’s ongoing program to empower agricultural innovation through drone technology. The goal is to digitalize and computerize reliable and accurate data gathering on tobacco-planted areas.
