The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with EU-TAAS, successfully completed a five-day Drone Training Programme held from 17–21 August 2026 in Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang.
The training brought together 29 participants from the Department of Agriculture Headquarters, research and development centres, centre programmes and Dzongkhags, with the aim of strengthening technical knowledge and practical capacities in the application of drones for agricultural monitoring, soil and plant health assessment, aerial imaging, mapping and data-driven decision-making.
The programme combined classroom-based theory with extensive hands-on learning. Participants explored drone regulations and operations, drone components and systems, photogrammetry, different drone payloads including RGB, thermal and multispectral sensors, plant and soil health indices, mission planning, topographic surveys, 3D modelling, and drone data management and analysis using PIX4Dfields and Agisoft Metashape Professional. The field practicals provided participants with opportunities to apply their learning through manual drone operations, mission planning and data collection, plant health monitoring, topographic survey missions and 3D modelling exercises. The training also covered BVLOS operations, emergency and fail-safe procedures, and aeronautical decision-making. Adding an element of fun and teamwork, participants also took part in quizzes, group work, presentations and a drone photo and video competition, putting their newly acquired skills and creativity to the test.
The successful completion of the training marks another step towards strengthening the use of drone technology and geospatial data in agriculture, supporting more efficient monitoring, assessment and evidence-based decision-making across the sector.
A big thank you to EU-TAAS for the support and to all the trainers, facilitators and participants for making the five days of learning, flying, analysing, collaborating and competing a success!
