In the context of the transformation of the agricultural sector driven by challenging geopolitical conditions and the European integration course, Ukrainian agribusiness increasingly requires technological solutions capable of ensuring production efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness. These very challenges became the subject of a professional discussion during the 17th International Conference “Doing Agribusiness in Ukraine” (DoAgro25), which took place in Kyiv on December 11, 2025.
DroneUA, as a company that built the agricultural drone market in Ukraine from the ground up and is one of the trendsetters of technological transformation in the domestic agricultural sector, joined the event. Together with representatives of the state, business, and профиль associations, the company discussed the key challenges of the 2026 agricultural season and outlined strategic development vectors for the industry.
One of the central topics of discussion was the implementation of European Union regulations in the field of agriculture. In particular, by 2028 Ukraine must abandon more than 100 active substances in plant protection products that are not certified in accordance with EU legislation. This automatically restricts the use of an even larger number of products in production technologies. Based on the results of the discussions, it was stated that such a phase-out would cost the agricultural sector at least USD 1.5 billion annually, creating significant risks for both agricultural producers and the chemical industry.
It was separately emphasized that the ban on critical active substances directly threatens the profitability and even the cultivation of strategically important crops for Ukraine, in particular sunflower and rapeseed, which are physically impossible to grow without specialized pesticides. In addition, a sharp abandonment of familiar plant protection products without providing effective alternatives creates prerequisites for the development of a shadow market and smuggling, which would have a negative impact on the economy as a whole.
Against this background, agricultural drone technologies are considered one of the practical tools for adapting to the new regulatory realities. Anatolii Bezoliuk, Head of the Agricultural Division at DroneUA, notes that the active implementation of agrodrones during the transformation of agricultural production allows farmers to optimize costs and increase operational efficiency.
“Yield losses due to the inability to fully protect crops from pests in the event of abandoning conventional plant protection products are inevitable. At the same time, the integration of agricultural drone technologies into production processes makes it possible to reduce or even fully offset these losses by saving other resources — water, fuel, and the pesticides themselves,” — the expert notes.
Unlike traditional wheeled machinery, agrodrones make it possible to fully implement precision farming approaches, in particular through ultra-low-volume spraying (ULV). This approach ensures significant water savings when preparing working solutions (from 5 L/ha), eliminates the need for technological tracks, which can result in a yield increase of 3–10% per hectare, reduces the carbon footprint by cutting fuel use by up to 80%, and minimizes downtime thanks to the ability to perform operations immediately after precipitation.
At the same time, during panel discussions, another systemic challenge for the industry was identified — a labor shortage. As of 2024, 69.6% of agricultural enterprises reported a lack of workforce, with one of the largest shortages observed specifically among agricultural drone operators. Despite this, only 26.6% of agricultural enterprises invested in staff training in 2024, indicating a critically low level of professional skills development in the sector.
“The mandatory implementation of professional development programs for agronomists and technical specialists is considered a necessary condition for the sustainable development of agricultural production. It is precisely the synergy of practical experience and new knowledge based on the use of modern technologies that will allow Ukraine’s agricultural sector to ensure stable yields and scale production amid growing constraints,” — Anatolii Bezoliuk concludes.
DroneUA thanks its partners and colleagues for the professional exchange of experience, and the conference organizers — the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club association and UCABevent — for creating a professional platform for a systematic discussion of the future of domestic agricultural production.
