Use of drones benefits economic and social development in Holguín

The use of drones for the benefit of the economy and society is increasing throughout Cuba, particularly in the eastern province of Holguín, according to a report from the Granma newspaper.

The media points out that these devices help extinguish fires, evaluate irrigation systems and monitor crops, in addition to providing valuable information and data to relevant sectors of the country.

It recalls the effective use of drones in the efforts to extinguish the large forest fire that in 2023 consumed areas of the Pinares de Mayarí plateau.

Thanks to the drone and the camera it has, it was possible to transmit to the fire brigades and forest rangers the direction in which the fire was advancing and the places where they could enter to fight it.

Geocuba Oriente Norte began using unmanned aerial vehicles starting in 2016. It was the result of a technology transfer carried out by a scientific entity of the Geocuba Business Group, which has a well-organized science and innovation system.

The first national project, carried out with other companies of the Group, resulted in the creation of cartography for the Urban Cadastre, which has been followed by its systematic updating in the provinces of Las Tunas and Holguín, said engineer Enrique Pedro Villafruela Rodríguez, director of Engineering and Communications of the Company.

Another sector benefited from the use of these devices is the nickel company in the municipality of Moa, which started with specialized cartography at a scale of 1 in 100, and 1 in 500, for the location of some tail dams of the Pedro Soto Alba Factory. They are also working on volume calculations for the mines of the Ernesto Che Guevara Company.

Last February, it started the robotic falconry service at the Frank País García international airport in Holguín, the sixth in the country in which it is used to counteract the danger posed by birds during aircraft takeoffs and landings.

The company is able to use drones in the inspection service of high-voltage power lines. Flying machines can replace people who for a long period have verified the state of areas and structures on foot, as a prior step to planning and carrying out maintenance.
Its use in the tourism sector is extensive, ranging from making promotional videos to surveying and monitoring works.
These examples show how the use of new technologies in Cuba contributes to the economic development. (With information from Granma)