SINGAPORE, July 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- After several years of detailed research into the best and most efficient methods available to monitor the growth and provide additional security to its high value plantations, Singapore-based Asia Plantation Capital has applied for a patent on a new system which is based on computerised aerial drones, linked to a central control system and programmed to monitor their plantations.
This new system has been successfully tested over the last nine months on plantations in Thailand and is now set for implementation on all the company's high value plantations and installations.
"Over the last few years, we have tested and installed various systems on our plantations as part of our constant policy of research and development. This includes remote sensors for soil temperature, rainfall, nutrients, tree growth sensors and humidity which are supplied by Singapore-based Bio machines," says CEO Barry Rawlinson. "Real time camera monitoring has always been proven to be problematic on large scale plantations that stretch over substantial areas."
The use of these latest aerial camera drones, which are equipped with GPS tracking and the function to set pre-determined flight paths, allows for consistent coverage of plantations, delivery of valuable real-time growth and photographic data to management teams on the ground.
Asia Plantation Capital is working on developing this into a web portal application to allow clients and tree owners to regularly receive updated aerial images of trees on the plantations. Previous systems have proved unreliable due to extremities of climate and the remote nature of many plantation sites, causing fixed cameras to fog up and relay poor images.
Additionally, drones can cover huge areas in minutes, and also allow Asia Plantation Capital's trained operators to zoom in on the areas they want, even individual trees. The added security benefits include being able to patrol large scale plantations in minutes, at any time of day and night, with night vision cameras being a massive benefit.
First developed in-house by Asia Plantation Capital's IT departments and forestry managers, the company intends to further develop this technology for commercial usage by other plantation and agricultural companies under the Asia Plantation Capital brand.
Major uses of the Tree Eye System include monitoring work progress, harvest processes and providing physical security measures. In addition, the system brings, to daily operations, an entirely new monitoring facility with the ability to reach inaccessible areas in minutes. Some of the species grown on plantations, like agarwood, teak and palm oil, have extremely high values. Ensuring the safe delivery from plantation and processing to the end product is always a principle concern of plantation owners -- one which Asia Plantation Capital puts to rest.
Notes for Editors:
About Asia Plantation Capital
Quick facts:
Asia Plantation Capital is the owner and operator of a diverse range of commercial plantation and farming businesses across the Asia-Pacific region and around the world, and is part of the Asia Plantation Capital Group of associated companies. Its focus is on multicultural and diverse plantation projects geared to the domestic and commercial demands of the countries in which it operates. Working closely with, and supporting local communities, is an underlying core principle of the Asia Plantation Capital business, providing social and cultural support, as well as investment, to move these communities away from deforestation and illegal logging activities, previously seen as a main source of income in some regions of Asia. Established officially in 2008 (although operating privately since 2002) the group now has plantation and agricultural projects on four continents, with operational projects at various stages in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Laos, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, North America and Europe.
Promoting the use of sustainable and certified wood is the best way of preventing deforestation, protecting biodiversity, and combating poverty in the tropical rainforest regions. For the yachting sector (a major user of teak) which strives for excellence and which is already involved in environmental efforts, this is also a way of ensuring that no wood from illegal logging is used.
For further information, please contact:-
Adrian Heng
Group Marketing Director
Email: adrian.heng@asiaplantationcapital.com
Office: +65-6222-3386
Mobile: +65-9750-7440
