The Agriculture Ministry is considering the use of drones to monitor the condition of agricultural access roads.

This was revealed by the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ric Javed Ali, during a Parliamentary JSC on Land and Physical Infrastructure this afternoon.

He said using drones will help strengthen data collection.

Mr Ali said a request for funding has already been made for the unit.

He added vacancies in the Ministry’s Engineering Division have impacted its ability to assess and repair roads leading to agricultural developments.