Programmed drones sow green seeds over Vietnam’s desert forest

Often described as Vietnam’s desert forest, Nui Chua endures extreme aridity, low annual rainfall, and prolonged scorching heat, leaving vast stretches of rocky and sandy terrain barren year-round.

Even during the cooler months at the end of the year, dry sunshine and strong winds continue to dominate the landscape.

During a field visit on January 16, park rangers guided visitors deep into the forest, where sandy slopes alternate with towering rock formations and steep cliffs.

Sparse semi-arid vegetation struggles to survive, with thorny shrubs clinging to soil and stone in an unforgiving environment.

According to Tran Van Tiep, director of the Nui Chua–Phuoc Binh National Park Management Board, the area receives an average of only about 700 millimeters of rainfall each year, roughly equivalent to two days of rain in Hue.

Combined with steep terrain and sheer rocky faces, these conditions make traditional reforestation methods largely unworkable.

“The sun scorches, the wind lashes, and even after a full day of climbing, one person can plant very few trees,” Tiep said, explaining the need for alternative approaches.

To address these challenges, the park has partnered with OMO to test the use of drones to disperse so-called ‘seed balls’ in hard-to-reach areas, including steep slopes and rocky cliffs inaccessible by conventional planting methods.

The drones are programmed to release seeds based on precise coordinates, allowing targeted restoration across difficult terrain.

The seed balls consist of plant seeds encased in a nutrient-rich mixture of soil and fertilizer. This protective layer helps shield seeds from harsh weather and wildlife while improving germination once rainfall arrives.

Le Thi Hong Nhi, deputy general director of communications, external affairs, and sustainable development at Unilever Vietnam, said the initiative is part of OMO’s annual tree-planting activities supporting the government’s campaign to plant one billion trees nationwide, launched in 2020.

She noted that 2025 marked a major milestone as the company completed its goal of planting one million trees across Vietnam.

During the 2026–30 period, Unilever has been committed to planting an additional one million trees to help restore ecological balance.

Nhi added that the company views its tree-planting target as a strategic investment, with the next phase launched last Friday through the donation of 20,000 seeds of valuable tree species to the park.

Over the past five years, OMO has partnered with national parks across Vietnam to apply seed-ball planting methods, dispersing seeds to support forest restoration in challenging environments.

Trieu Van Luc, deputy director of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, praised the collaboration between park authorities and businesses, saying it reflects strong social responsibility toward forest conservation and environmental protection for present and future generations.

The use of drones for reforestation has previously been applied in countries such as the U.S., where traditional replanting after severe wildfires has proven costly, labor-intensive, and time-consuming.

Experts say aerial seeding using drones can significantly reduce costs and manpower requirements, offering an effective solution for restoring forests in remote, steep or inaccessible terrain.