Vietnamese-Australian engineer takes agriculture sky high with drone technology

Dr. Tran Phi Vu joins hands with experts from Australia, France and the US to develop agricultural drones that can both diagnose crop diseases and apply treatments. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi – Dr. Tran Phi Vu, an aeronautical engineer who spent eight years in Australia, has applied his expertise to promote Vietnam’s sustainable agriculture development through drone technology.

Commenting on the Politburo’s Resolution No.57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, Vu described it as a bright spot, removing obstacles for both domestic and foreign technological talent to make contributions to the homeland.

Vu, also President of the Vietnam Australia Innovation Network, lecturer at the University of New South Wales, and Chief Scientist at JWC Lab Inc., observed advanced agriculture as a sector where Australia excels. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, if the drone technology is adopted, farmers will not only protect their health but also save time on farming.

In 2018, Vu and the R&D team of JWC Lab Inc. began joining hands with experts from Australia, France and the US to develop agricultural drones that can both diagnose crop diseases and apply treatments. The 0.54-meter tall and six-propeller drones collect high-resolution images to create the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) that measures the greenness and the density of the vegetation.

The drones work 28 times faster than manual spraying, covering two hectares in only 10 minutes while saving 15% of fertiliser and up to 60-70% of water. With the advantages of being compact and lightweight combined with the versatility of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones can operate flexibly across all terrains.

Dr. Tran Phi Vu (second from left) and his partners are testing the agricultural drone. (Photo: VNA)

According to Vu, the AI-powered device helps quickly identify diseases and suggest farmers appropriate spraying methods and timely treatments. He elaborated that healthy plants have higher chlorophyll content and appear greener; conversely, weak plants show reduced chlorophyll levels, allowing farmers to identify and isolate diseased plants.

Recognising that not all farmers can operate drones themselves, Vu and his team developed a Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS™) platform where farmers can schedule spraying through a simple mobile app, paying only for services used.

Vu and JWC Lab CEO Dr. Nguyen Duy Luan, a Vietnamese American scientist and businessman, are working with the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to carry out various science-tech projects and establish incubators focusing on key technology areas, while proposing rational policies to attract experts and startup.

Vu held that some barriers still need to be removed, particularly policies and legal frameworks related to science and technology. He cited the lack of specific investment regulations for blockchain, AI, or advanced technologies like drones as a barrier preventing enterprises from investing in and developing the areas.

Vietnam should continue creating favorable conditions for scientists to apply their scientific and technological advancements in the country, establish an agency to oversee these technologies, and embrace both short- and long-term visions to bring developments to fruition, he said./.