AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY
November-December. 2025 | @ AGROBiz
AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY
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Regulating agri drones
• MAFS and Mardi are offering free certification for 350 operators nationwide through the 2025 Agricultural Drone Tour.
• The push for licensing aligns with efforts to modernise the farming sector and encourage youth participation.
• ASEAN and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation in food, agriculture, and forestry, focusing on trade, technology, and digital certification.
USING MODERN FARMING TOOLS: Drone integration supports Malaysia’ s move toward high-tech, efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.
THE Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute( Mardi) has urged all agricultural drone operators to obtain an operating licence from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia( CAAM), emphasising that proper certification is now a critical requirement for safe, regulated drone use in the farming sector.
Mardi’ s Engineering Research Centre director, Dr Ahmad Safuan Bujang, said the move ensured drones were flown responsibly, especially as their usage expands rapidly in padi fields, plantations and other crop areas.
To encourage adoption while
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maintaining safety standards, he said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security( MAFS), through Mardi, is offering free licences to 350 operators nationwide.
“ This licence is granted through the implementation of the 2025 Agricultural Drone Tour programme in collaboration with CAAM, where farmers will learn about regulatory and safety aspects of operating drones based on the new certification module, called the Remote Certificate of Competency- Agriculture Light( RCOC-AL).
“ To fly drones, they must know the regulations in place and possess the skills to operate drones safely, including knowledge of prohibited
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areas for flying them,” he said.
He spoke at the launch of the 2025 Agricultural Drone Tour for the Eastern Zone, an event aimed at raising awareness of licensing, safety, and best practices for agricultural drone operations. The launch was attended by Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority( KADA) Chairman Khalid Samad.
Khalid said drone use has become a key tool for increasing rice yields and field efficiency among farmers under KADA’ s supervision. He noted that drones provide precise fertiliser and pesticide application, reduce reliance on manpower, and accelerate field operations.
“ Drones can ensure uniform
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spraying of fertilisers, pesticides and monitoring with less labour, in line with KADA’ s aim to empower the agricultural sector using new technology.
“ The integration of drone technology in crop cultivation could also attract the younger generation to venture into the field, aligning with the country’ s direction towards modern agriculture and the goal of the 4.0( Fourth) Industrial Revolution,” he said.
The licensing push is part of broader efforts to modernise Malaysian agriculture and ensure that drone operations align with national safety and technological development goals.
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Expanding agriculture and trade
ASEAN and China have committed to strengthening cooperation on food, agriculture, and forestry, emphasising trade, technological adoption, and digital certification, following the Ninth ASEAN-China Sanitary and Phytosanitary( SPS) Cooperation Meeting.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security( MAFS) said the talks also included harmonising sanitary and phytosanitary standards, enhancing coordination mechanisms, and expanding training and human capital development across member countries.
“ The key aspects of the cooperation include facilitating trade without compromising food security and safety, safeguarding health and harmonising standards, as well as sharing best practices to prevent the spread of livestock and crop diseases,” MAFS said in a statement.
Participants agreed to continue implementing the ASEAN-China Cooperation on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Action Plan for 2026-2027,
ASEAN-CHINA AGRI TIES: The meeting highlighted commitments to implement the 2026-2027 ASEAN-China SPS Action Plan for harmonised trade standards. which acts as the main framework guiding joint initiatives in the region.
Malaysia was represented by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu at the meeting held in Chongqing, China. The forum, which takes place every two years, rotates between China and ASEAN member States.
The meeting also highlighted commitments made at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and the 47th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Plus Three Meeting in the Philippines in October, reinforcing the shared goal of building a resilient, competitive and inclusive agricultural sector to strengthen food security in the region.
By collaborating on SPS standards, training programmes, and technology adoption, ASEAN and China aim to enhance trade flows while safeguarding public health, increasing agricultural productivity, and reducing the risks of crop and livestock diseases.
The collaboration underscores a growing emphasis on regional food security and trade harmonisation, with digital tools such as the ASEAN Single Window( ASW) playing a key role in streamlining certification and cross-border agricultural trade.
This renewed cooperation signals a strategic approach to modernising agriculture, fostering sustainable growth, and ensuring the Southeast Asia region remains competitive in global agricultural markets.- @ AGROBiz