XAG demonstrates drone spraying efficiency in Ukraine

XAG agricultural drones have been for sale in Ukraine since late 2020. XAG collaborates with DroneUA to distribute its agricultural drones and robots that can sow seeds, spray crops, and spread fertilisers.

In cooperation with Agro-Region, one of Ukraine’s largest agricultural holdings, the DroneUA team hosted a practical demonstration this April to evaluate the effectiveness of XAG Agricultural Drones on winter barley fields near the village of Velyka Oleksandrivka, in the Kiev region.

Drone swarm

The test showed that one XAG drone, when equipped with atomised sprayers and a 20L smart liquid tank, could spray over 16 hectares per hour.

One operator, along with two observers, controlled three XAG Agricultural Drones to apply crop protection products in “swarm flight mode”. 43 hectares of barley were treated fully autonomously by this small fleet of drones in 53 minutes.

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43 hectares of barley were treated fully autonomously by a small fleet of drones in 53 minutes. – Photo: XAG

According to Volodymyr Kravtsov, Operational Director of Agro-Region, the demonstration could change how Ukrainian farmers view drones. “I never saw drones as an industrial tool for spraying. But this demonstration shows their efficiency and helps the adoption of agricultural drones.”

Also read: Drone spraying takes off as regulations relax worldwide

In 2020, the Ukrainian Government has adopted a new land reform law that puts an end to the moratorium on the sale of arable land. Over the past twenty years, farmers and agricultural businesses could only grow crops depending on land leases. But starting in July 2021, agricultural land will be available for sale to Ukrainian citizens. This, says XAG, will encourage farmers to increase their grain planting areas and invest in innovative agricultural machinery and infrastructure.

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New farming technology such as drones is to attract more young people to agriculture. – Photo: XAG

Make drones more affordable

At the same time, new financing policies and education programs are also implemented to scale up the use of drones in agriculture. Under the support of DroneUA, XAG agricultural drones can be leased with full insurance coverage in Ukraine. This is to make drones more affordable for smallholders, who, according to XAG, generate nearly 45% of the country’s gross agricultural output.

Unmanned spraying courses for young people

The introduction of new technology can also help rekindle interest in agriculture among young people. Valerii Iakovenko, Co-founder of DroneUA, says courses on unmanned spraying solutions will be introduced to teach bachelor students how to use XAG agricultural drones. The aim is to train young talents for “next generation farming”. For this, a partnership with the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NULES) has been established.

Also read: How to avoid drift during drone spraying