Description
DRON AGRO ASSISTANCE is a drone service offered by Dron Assistance SRL that supports various agricultural processes, including, but not limited to, crop sowing, monitoring, and pesticide and fertilizer applications. The drone service can be applied to various crops, such as grains, cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruit, etc., for the monitoring of plant health, yield, irrigation and fertilizer deficiencies, weed and pest outbreaks, among others. DRON AGRO ASSISTANCE was the first company in the Republic of Moldova to receive approval from the civil aviation authorities to conduct agricultural aircraft operations using drones.
Technology
The services provided by DRON AGRO ASSISTANCE make use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly known as drones, and a software solution required for their configuration and activity monitoring. The drones are equipped with various sensors (e.g., multispectral and hyperspectral sensors for crop monitoring) and modules for the dispersal of seeds, pesticides or fertilizers. Operations can be carried autonomously or semi-autonomously. The drones avoid obstacles and return to their docking stations before the battery is depleted. The software solution provides users with a control app for the management of drone operations, and for the logging and monitoring of drone activity and performance. It allows every detail of drones' performance to be accessed, in real-time or through the flight log playback function. Data can be stored on the Google Cloud.
Target
Between 2021 and 2022, the company reported over 100 clients making use of their services on over 18 000 hectares of land, primarily medium- and large-sized farms. Under a United Nations Development Programme project, the company is currently working to establish a network of villagers across Moldova to support a more consistent provision of services to smallholder farmers.
Business model
The service costs USD10–20 per ha, depending on the work type, terrain complexity, etc. Prior to 2023, the company worked primarily with major manufacturers and large farms, but the demand among smallholder farmers has convinced the company to create a network of villagers who can provide the service also to smallholder farmers. Such a network is essential to minimize expenses and to ensure the provision of service to smallholders at an affordable price. In 2022, under the "EU4Moldova: Key Regions" United Nations Development Programme sponsored by the European Union, the company opened a representative office in the Ungheni region, and has purchased three drones that will be used to provide services to local farmers.
Impact
The services provided by DRON AGRO ASSISTANCE can make sowing, spraying and monitoring activities easier, faster and more effective. The use of drones in agriculture can support the more responsible use of water and fertilizers, and can help farmers avoid tyre and track induced soil compaction. According to company estimates, the service costs are offset by the substantial savings that are achieved, in that the drone service requires 20 percent less pesticide and significantly less water. The service also eliminates the 5 to 10 percent crop loss and the soil damage attributable to the use of agricultural machinery, while also speeding up agricultural processes. The service can also be attractive for smallholder farmers, who can avoid the financial burden of purchasing equipment. A company representative stated in an interview that in 2023, traditional spraying in Moldova (using a tractor and sprayer) cost around USD 50 per ha , and that using the drone service can help farmers economise on field treatments.
Partners
European Union; United Nations Development Programme
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
Better life
