Bank of Ceylon Paves the Way for Drone Technology in Sri Lankan Agriculture

Drones are transforming agriculture in Sri Lanka, supported by the Bank of Ceylon (BOC).

- 

Professor Buddhi Marambe, an expert in climate-smart agriculture from the University of Peradeniya, has been a key player in these initiatives. He discusses the role of BOC in funding training for drone pilots and promoting large-scale adoption of drone technology. This shift toward precision farming and sustainable practices is positioning Sri Lanka at the forefront of technology-driven agriculture. Drone technology has been used for a long time, especially in developed countries. It helps farmers apply fertilizers accurately, save water, and reduce the time needed for various tasks. Drones are also useful for monitoring crops. In agriculture, drones primarily monitor fields or apply inputs. In Sri Lanka, a private company launched a service in 2014 that failed quickly due to a lack of acceptance and limited understanding of its benefits. This led to unsuccessful commercial operations at that time.