The DroneUA group of companies ("DIGI FLY" LLC) and the USAID Program for Agrarian and Rural Development - AGRO, implemented by the Chemonics International company, restored and expanded the conditions of participation for agricultural producers within the framework of the large-scale Project on the popularization and use of unmanned and robotic technologies.
Taking into account the war situation in Ukraine and the difficulties faced by farmers in the process of performing seasonal work, there is an urgent need to switch to resource-saving technologies. The use of aerial and ground spraying drones will reduce operating costs and ensure higher production efficiency. It is in the enhanced integration of advanced technologies that the parties see an opportunity to strengthen food security both within Ukraine and at the global level.
The project of popularization and use of drones in agribusiness with the support of USAID AGRO
According to the new conditions, the categories of agricultural producers who can participate in the Project have been significantly expanded. In addition to micro, small and medium-sized producers of fruit and vegetable products, the following will be able to receive consultations and specialized services by spraying drones with the support of the USAID AGRO Program in Ukraine:
– Producers of vegetables, fruits and berries on an industrial scale (except farms engaged in the industrial cultivation of nuts and red grapes for winemaking);
– Farms specializing in the cultivation of cereals (wheat, barley, corn, rye, buckwheat, rice);
- Farms growing certain types of oil crops (sunflower).
The Project completion date is December 30, 2022.
The Project's geography is all of Ukraine, except for temporarily occupied territories and territories where active hostilities are taking place.
"Understanding the importance of Ukrainian agri-food in the global market, the USAID AGRO team continues to support the Ukrainian agricultural community. For us, as a domestic company, this is another confirmation that the international community with Ukraine and their support is very important.
This agricultural season has already been marked by a number of challenges for farmers: a serious shortage of fuel, mining of fields after the occupation, labor resources that are currently involved in the armed forces. These factors can provoke a food crisis not only within the country. The level of food security at the world level depends on the result that Ukrainian farmers will get at the end of the season, - comments Valery Yakovenko, co-founder of DroneUA, - the situation with a shortage of fuel and lubricant resources significantly complicates agricultural production and actually accelerates the process of transition to innovative and resource-saving technologies. Drones and robotics are a tool that can guarantee quality, economy, efficiency, and safety. Our mission now is to maintain food security by facilitating even easier adoption of drones by farmers in the fields. In the conditions of war, every hryvnia saved, every hectare of productive area becomes even more important for Ukrainians. And drones in this system play in favor of agricultural producers."
Advantages of applying PPE by agrodrones:
significant reduction in fuel consumption (up to 90%); water saving up to 95%; savings of PPE up to 30%; absence of technological ruts; optimization of labor resources.It is worth reminding that in mid-April, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine worked out an official mechanism for involving the military in agreeing to work with the use of airspace by agricultural drones for agricultural work. Thanks to the involvement of the state, farmers got the opportunity to use drones. Therefore, the implementation of the Project is possible in full.
You can learn more about the Project and its conditions at the link: https://drone.ua/proekt-usaid-ta-droneua/
Dear farmers! If you are interested in using spraying drones in your household, have questions and want to join the Project, please fill out a short application. A DroneUA expert will definitely check with you and provide a detailed consultation.
Reference information:
The USAID Program for Agricultural and Rural Development (AGRO) is a five-year Program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which is implemented by Kimonix International.
The goal of the program: to accelerate the economic development of rural communities in Ukraine, which need the most support, by improving management in the agricultural sector, which will contribute to the development of more productive, modern and profitable micro, small and medium agricultural enterprises (MSMEs).
Goals of the USAID AGRO Program: improving productivity and access to markets in targeted value added chains, improving support functions and the regulatory and legal framework in the agricultural sector.
The USAID AGRO program has embraced the challenges of war and adapted its activities to help resuscitate supply chains, restore the economic activity of agricultural producers, build a strong and viable market system, and ensure food security in Ukraine and the world.
