Farmers who came to the fair to sell their products, as well as processors and visitors, witnessed the operation of the latest technologies in agronomy, allowing them to see the practical achievements of young inventors.
A farmer from the Issyk-Kul region, representing a horticultural enterprise, shared his impressions: “It’s truly impressive. Seeing a drone above the trees is a completely different experience compared to reading about it. The competition winners, students, really strive to help farmers.” He noted that his family had long hesitated to expand their apple orchard.
“We learned about the state grant that was allocated for this competition and the support that farmers will receive for implementing such technologies. Banks are also ready to help if environmentally friendly solutions are used. The application of such technologies will allow for the cultivation of large areas without the need to spend a lot of money on chemicals and agronomists. The drone helps determine what the tree needs for its health,” the farmer added.
Iskak Anarbekov, the curator of agricultural fairs in Bishkek, explained that the competition and the fair have complementary goals. “The main task of the competition is the development of digital and AI technologies in agriculture and the creation of conditions for their application. The fairs serve as a platform to support farmers, market their products, and inform about the actions of the Ministry of Agriculture in this area. It is a place for exchanging knowledge and experience, as well as for finding solutions to specific problems faced by rural residents,” he noted.
He added that the organizers are open to collaboration and invite innovators, scientists, agronomists, and gardeners to share their achievements.
The competition winners talked about their project, which allows for assessing the condition of trees in gardens and parks using drones. “Sensors detect what substances the plants need and whether there is enough moisture. There’s no need to approach each tree — all the information goes to the monitor,” the developers explained.
The next step for the students will be to find solutions to eliminate the deficiency of essential elements for plant growth and crop formation.
“We are glad that our project won the competition and is already ready for practical use. Our goal is to demonstrate the ‘smart’ drone to farmers to inspire them to a new perception of work,” they concluded.
