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Drones in Agriculture: How to Obtain Permits through a PDRA
Drones have become an indispensable tool in the agricultural sector due to their versatility and efficiency. The different uses of drones in agriculture include:
- Crop monitoring: They allow monitoring the state of crops, detecting problems such as lack of irrigation, diseases or nutrient deficiencies.
- Detection of invasive plants: They facilitate the early identification of unwanted species that can damage plantations.
- Aerial treatments: This is currently the most widespread and fastest growing use, as it allows the precise application of phytosanitary products or fertilisers.
Advantages of using Drones for Aerial Treatment
- Higher precision: Drones allow products to be applied with high accuracy, avoiding waste and contamination of unwanted areas.
- Reduced costs: Operating drones is more economical than using light aircraft or heavy machinery.
- Access to difficult areas: Drones can reach hard-to-reach places where other methods are not feasible.
- Reduced environmental impact: Localised application minimises the excessive use of chemicals.
Types of Authorisations Required
Depending on the type of operation, different authorisations may be required:
1. Operations for aerial treatments (product spraying):
– These operations typically involve drones with a maximum take-off weight (MTOM) above 25 kg, operating at low altitude and outside urban environments.
– To facilitate these operations, a specific PDRA adapted to the agricultural sector has been developed.
– Some of the most commonly used drones for this work are the DJI Agras series, such as the DJI Agras T30 and DJI Agras T50.
2. Crop inspection operations:
– These tasks can be performed in BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) mode, allowing large areas of land to be covered efficiently.
– There are also PDRAs adapted for this type of authorisations, facilitating regulatory compliance and permitting.
Our company offers a complete service for the development of the necessary documentation for these PDRAs, guaranteeing a fast and efficient process in accordance with current regulations.