Use agri-drones to cut need for foreign workers, says senator

 

Agricultural drones can perform various functions and lessen the need for foreign migrant workers, a senator said. (AFP pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: A senator from Sabah has urged the federal government to encourage the use of agricultural drones and robotic technology to lessen the need for foreign migrant workers.

Senator Noraini Idris said drone technology had been widely used in other countries.

Senator Noraini Idris.

“The machines have various functions such as area mapping, fruit harvesting, fertiliser spraying and transporting oil palm fruit to factories,” she said during the budget debate.

A total of 50 senators took part in the debate, which began last Wednesday. Ministers will make their replies tomorrow and Wednesday.

Among the matters raised in the debate included the cost of living, empowerment of the disabled, taxation, education, tourism and the minimum wage for graduates.

Big problem with rubbish

Another senator from Sabah, Noorita Sual, said the state had a problem with rubbish, which could drive tourists away.

“If we we take a boat to Pulau Tunku Abdul Rahman, there is a lot of rubbish floating in the sea. In Kundasang in Ranau, we go to enjoy the view (of Mount Kinabalu) and the cold weather, but cleanliness there can still be improved, as in the interiors of Keningau and also Tenom, solid waste management is far less systematic and is unorganised,” she said.

Noorita hoped that the federal and state authorities would work together to improve solid waste management and public cleaning efforts, especially in the suburban and rural areas of Sabah.

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TVET for special needs students

Senator Bobbey Ah Fang Suan of Bersatu suggested that the vocational colleges in Kudat, Sandakan, Tawau and Labuan be upgraded to offer technical education and vocational training programmes for special education students.

“Sabah’s population is currently estimated at about 3.4 million, but there is only one vocational college established in the interior that offers TVET for special education.

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“There is no need to establish new colleges for this purpose, but instead upgrade the existing vocational colleges and offer more TVET programmes for special education students,” he said.

The Dewan Negara continues tomorrow. - FMT