The Department of Agriculture at the Issam Fares Faculty of Technology recently completed a new milestone in its smart agriculture journey in collaboration with the Department of Mechatronics.

The Department launched the “Eye in the Sky” program which specializes in high-precision aerial surveying for crop and soil health and growth monitoring to support satellite imaging. Professors and graduates from both departments followed a hands-on training with technicians on the use of “Horus”, the new multispectral drone which will be pivotal for the success of this program. The objective is to introduce the newly acquired know-how in agricultural research and make it available for students and farmers.

Horus is an RTF (Ready to Fly) drone carrying 5 MP multispectral cameras including NIR (Near Infra Red), RE (Red Edge), R (Red) and G (Green) cameras with 4/3 CMOS, a 20 MP image sensor, a 1/2000 s mechanical shutter speed and a 0.7 high speed burst when RGB camera is used.

The built-in sunlight sensor captures solar irradiance and records it in an image file, allowing for light compensation of image data during 2D reconstruction. This results in more accurate NDVI results, as well as improved accuracy and consistency of data acquired over time. It can map around 200 Ha in one flight.

Horus flights will be carried in coordination with the Lebanese Army Air Force to guarantee safety and security and will be used to gather much needed data about the agricultural ecosystem and get a better understanding of the dynamics governing its evolution and propose sustainable solutions. They will also enhance collaborations with fellow international researchers and provide insights on the Mediterranean agricultural challenges and search for collective solutions to face climate change.

Dr. Elie Karam, Dean of the Issam Fares Faculty of Technology stated: “The launch of the ‘Eye in the Sky’ program marks a significant advancement in our commitment to smart agriculture. By utilizing advanced technology like the Horus drone, we are not only enhancing our research capabilities but also empowering our students and local farmers with the tools they need to adapt to changing agricultural challenges. This initiative embodies our dedication to fostering innovation and sustainability in the face of climate change”.

Related SDGs: 2,4,9,12,13,15







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