NEW FOREST, Manchester — For the past six months a 24-year-old, fourth-generation farmer has been using a crop-spraying drone much to the fascination of residents and passers-by in New Forest, south Manchester.

The community — regarded as an agriculture belt neighbouring southern St Elizabeth — has been once again placed in the spotlight with the regular use of the drone on cabbage fields.

According to the farmer, who asked not to be named, he has had the drone for around six months, and has been using to spray the cabbage for some three weeks.

He said the technology has saved his family business a fortune when compared to using a knapsack spray or mist blower across the 1.5 acres where the cabbage is planted.

“The drone has cut costs by about 70 per cent. The 55-gallon drum can spray an acre and a half, but it still varies because the drone speed can change. With the drone we are capable of cutting down at least two drums worth of spray, because it utilises an optimised system that defuses the chemical in a special way, it gets to cover more acreage and it is better for the land,” the farmer told the Jamaica Observer.

The drone being used to spray a cabbage field in New Forest, south Manchester, Tuesday evening.

A 24-year-old farmer controlling a crop-spraying drone in New Forest, south Manchester, Tuesday evening.

“It cuts down on the amount of chemicals you have to buy, also fewer workmen. Usually for our big farm where we have seven acres of scallion we normally had to use about three workers for that land for the entire day and now it takes me less than two hours with the drone and using less chemicals, so it saves me a lot,” he added.
The use of the drone, mainly at nights, has been a fascination and attraction to many along the main road which leads to Alligator Pond.

“A man came here and videoed me using the drone. He did not even ask for my permission. He was like, ‘Yow, you use TikTok? You a go deh pon TikTok tomorrow.’ You have people who drive pass and reverse to see the drone. Police stop and ask questions. A lot of people are really fascinated with drone technology,” said the young farmer.

“The insects and the worms come out when it is dark and cooler, so it is better for the pesticides. We are in the early stages right now, so we have to spray it like every three days,” he explained.

According to the farmer, the ongoing drought has not impacted his family business as they benefit from the irrigation system in New Forest managed by the National Irrigation Commission.

“We have water running down here, so we are perfectly fine. There is water in the line right now while we are spraying,” he said.

The youngster — who since the age of 17 has embraced agriculture — is encouraging other young people to get involved in the sector.

“I was born and raised in agriculture. Farming is a very lucrative industry. I don’t know why people tend to look down on it, but I love farming,” he said as he pointed out that farming requires passion.

“I don’t see why you can’t plant a garden that will bring various amounts of money compared to being in the office where you get a small change and that is it. People run from farming to other jobs and then when that doesn’t work out they realise how important it is to plant something even at the back of their house. As a farmer there has to be a drive, because you will fail and then you are going to rise,” he said.