Students at the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Tocal College will have the opportunity to upskill in one of agriculture's rapidly emerging technologies, with new training focused on the safe and effective use of drones for pesticide application.
Tocal College has partnered with drone specialists FPV Australia to deliver FIELDS - Foundations for Industry Endorsed Low-altitude Drone Spraying - combining Tocal's longstanding expertise in chemical application training with FPV Australia's specialist drone knowledge.
Tocal College Education Officer Charlie Bell said drones offered significant opportunities for land managers, particularly in situations where conventional ground spraying was difficult or impractical.
"Drones can be particularly useful for spot spraying weeds, small-area horticulture, forestry, inaccessible terrain and when wet conditions prevent the use of ground-based equipment," Mr Bell said.
"While the technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated, effective pesticide application isn't simply a matter of letting the drone's software do the work.
"Operators need to understand the complete spraying process and carefully check things like nozzle selection, pressure, chemical application rates, field boundaries, flight speed and operating height."
Mr Bell said understanding weather conditions was also critical, with drone spraying particularly susceptible to atmospheric conditions that could contribute to spray drift and off-target damage.
"Operators need to closely monitor factors including temperature, wind speed and wind direction and ensure applications are carefully planned and correctly carried out.
"Good training is about giving operators the knowledge to make informed decisions rather than relying solely on the technology."
The FIELDS course aligns with three nationally recognised Units of Competency covering chemical application, chemical transport and storage, and monitoring weather conditions.
Tocal College has aligned the technical training and assessment material with these competencies and developed online learning to support the theoretical components of the program.
This allows the two-day face-to-face component to concentrate on the practical aspects of setting up, operating and controlling drones for pesticide application.
The partnership brings together expertise in chemical application and drone operation to support the safe expansion of the technology.
"Drones have enormous potential as an application tool, but like any spraying equipment, achieving good results comes down to the knowledge and skills of the operator," Mr Bell said.
"We want people entering this growing area to have the practical knowledge they need to apply pesticides safely, accurately and responsibly."
The new course is currently being piloted with 5 students, ahead of its broader rollout.
