Unmanned technologies have become a prerequisite for increasing the productivity of operations and scaling in agriculture. Rapid progress, the integration of scientific research, and practical experience in the application of robotics have become key elements in the effective use of drone technology. Contributing to the development of the agricultural industry and strengthening food security at the global level, DroneUA and FarmFleet participated in The Aerium Summit, which took place on May 28-30, 2024, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA.
Speaking on the same stage as Austin Davis, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, and the management of Lockheed Martin, Valery Yakovenko, CEO and managing partner of DroneUA and FarmFleet, as well as the chairman of the agricultural committee of the Pennsylvania Drone Association, expertly participated in the panel discussion "Drones in Agriculture." He shared deep insights, a visionary outlook, and ideas regarding the prospects for the development of the agricultural market.
Drone technologies have created a real revolution in agriculture, offering new services and solutions to address current problems. Drones have evolved from tools for monitoring and analyzing field conditions to instruments directly used in agricultural operations, treating crops with plant protection products and replacing traditional wheeled machinery.
"Ten years ago, DroneUA used drones to monitor crops, detect anomalies, and inventory fields, creating impressive projects that mapped a total area of about 121,405 hectares in six weeks. Today, our portfolio of implemented projects has expanded to an unprecedented scale. Thanks to drones, we have learned to use less water and save fuel, and we are also able to work in fields with complex configurations and previously impossible conditions. For example, we can quickly spray treatments after rain to prevent crop losses," - said Valery Yakovenko.
Despite the significant achievements and modernization of the domestic agricultural sector, DroneUA continues to transform the industry in international markets as well: "We have built an ecosystem with hundreds of drones and thousands of operators in Ukraine, successfully providing services and technologies to Ukrainian farmers. Today, we are spreading the acquired experience in the United States, facilitating an exchange of valuable practices between different countries. The industry is changing. Farmers are getting younger, and their children are bringing best practices from other industries."
Increasingly, robotics is used to order services from service companies, leading to a change in farmers' behavior. This approach to implementing innovative technologies not only increases productivity and reduces environmental impact but also creates thousands of jobs, providing more opportunities for the economic sustainability of the younger generation.
"Approximate calculations show that in the next 2-3 years, there may be up to 150,000 drone operators in US agriculture. This is just the beginning of a technological revolution that will further change agricultural practices," - Yakovenko analyzed.
Such views were confirmed by American colleagues. Other leading market experts, scientists, and entrepreneurs also shared their opinions:
· Caleb Schwartz, a farmer and founder of Harvest Works, emphasized the affordability and efficiency of drones compared to traditional ground-based sprayers. Ground machines cost several hundred thousand dollars, while drones are more affordable and can operate just as efficiently, with simplified maintenance.
· Shirin Gatreshamani, an associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, noted that the use of drones improves field management and creates opportunities for optimal decision-making through the most accurate measurement of soil conditions, yield, and disease detection. Dr. Gatreshamani shared examples of using drones to detect frost damage and measure soil acidity, which is critical to maintaining crop health and optimizing agricultural practices.
· John G. Dussler Jr., president of the Pennsylvania Drone Association and panel moderator, highlighted the growing interest in drones among students and noted the significant potential for drones to revolutionize a variety of industries.
DroneUA would like to thank the organizers of the Aerium conference, as well as the Agriculture Committee of the Pennsylvania Drone Association, for the initiative and coordination of the "Drones in Agriculture" panel discussion. The presented insights serve as a roadmap for applying future innovations in agriculture.
