Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green (left), observes while Executive Director of the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), Dr. Fritz Pinnock (centre) and Managing Director of Agrocaelum Limited, Kirk Harris (right), sign an agreement for the establishment of an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) training programme at the Institute. The event was held at the Petroleum Corporation (PCJ), in St. Andrew, recently.
Agrocaelum Drone Pilots to be Trained at Caribbean Maritime Institute
Agrocaelum Summary
- The Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) has teamed with Agrocaelum Limited to train pilots for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), commonly called drones.
- Along with the training of pilots, there will also be testing of the drones to meet regional agricultural needs, which involve the spraying of crops.
- Agrocaelum is the first industrial drone services company in the Caribbean.
The Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) has teamed with Agrocaelum Limited to train pilots for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), commonly called drones.
Part of the agreement will see a drone laboratory established at the CMI, through funding from Agrocaelum.
Along with the training of pilots, there will also be testing of the drones to meet regional agricultural needs, which involve the spraying of crops.
“This is about applied learning, and our curriculum is flexible, so it is aligned to the workforce,” said Executive Director for the CMI, Dr. Fritz Pinnock, after he signed the agreement at the Petroleum Corporation (PCJ) auditorium in St. Andrew, recently.
Dr. Pinnock said the move is closely aligned with the Institute’s mandate to invest in engineering and research as a core development feature of its transition to a university.
He said the institution is creating a research-orientated environment, driven by commercial activity to ensure a sustainable source of funding for projects and the consistent involvement of students in the ventures
Agrocaelum is the first industrial drone services company in the Caribbean.
It was founded in 2015 by a cohort of trained UAS pilots, with the mission to lead the Caribbean in drone technology services by producing results for clients while reducing their operational cost and impact on the environment.
Specifically, the drones will be used to provide reliable aerial spraying services to commercial farmers, with the goal of increasing production.
The drones are able to release various chemicals from the air with precision.
“There has been a great need in the agricultural industry in Jamaica, and this partnership is very timely,” the company’s Managing Director, Kirk Harris, said.
First published on JIS.gov.jm
