What’s new in our Ag-drone buying guide 2024/2025?

The DJI AGRAS T50 inherits a powerful coaxial twin-rotor propulsion system and a split-type torque resistant structure for excellent stability when carrying 40 kg spraying or 50 kg spreading payloads. Photo: DJI

Future Farming introduces an array of new application drones in its 2024/2025 Ag-drone buying guide. Drones continue to evolve with larger sizes, increased payloads, extended flight times, and varied capabilities tailored to diverse market needs.

In terms of pricing, options in the Ag-drone buying guide range widely from the Garuda Kisan Agri Drone V. 2 at US $6,500 to the high-end Agrobee 200 at US $300,000. However, drones vary significantly in specifications, such as efficiency in spraying or seeding.

The most striking new drone is surely the VTol Agrobee 200. It has an outstanding payload volume compared to other agricultural drones. The Agrobee 200 can fly for up to 1 hour and 20 minutes, and carry up to 200 kg of pesticides. High performance is possible due to the use of a small flex engine, which can be fuelled with ethanol, diesel or gasoline, which feeds a battery, allowing for longer flight time.

As a Vtol, the vehicle can take off and land vertically, and fly at low speeds, providing exceptional flexibility in agricultural operations. The company already has a ready-made model, the Agrobee 200, and is taking orders for this model. The company says the Agrobee 200 can cover 380 hectares per day.

New DJI drones

Chinese company DJI, with an estimated market share of over 70 percent the world’s leading drone manufacturer, released two agricultural drone recently, and they are also new in Future Farming’s buyers guide.

The DJI AGRAS T25 is a light and nimble compact agricultural drone, and can easily be handled by one person. This drone can carry a spraying payload up to 20 kg or a spreading payload up to 25 kg. It is equipped with front and rear phased array radars, a binocular vision system, and a high resolution FPV gimbal camera. The AGRAS T25 supports multiple missions, from surveying to spraying and spreading and excels across a variety of terrains.

The DJI AGRAS T50 inherits a powerful coaxial twin-rotor propulsion system and a split-type torque resistant structure for excellent stability when carrying 40 kg spraying or 50 kg spreading payloads. The dual atomizing spraying system provides an ultra-large flow rate of up to 16L per minute (2-sprinkler spraying). It produces uniform and fine spray droplets, and does not leak. The T50 can be equipped with an additional pair of centrifugal sprinklers, increasing flow rate to 24L per minute (4-sprinkler spraying) for operations that require a high application volume.

92-liter tank capacity

Also featured is the Spider-i H200, notable for its substantial 92-litre tank capacity, making it one of the largest agricultural spraying drones available. With a standard payload of 100 kg, it supports extended operations over large areas, reducing the frequency of refills. Equipped with four centrifugal spray heads and enhanced filtration systems, it delivers a high flow rate of 24 litres per minute, mitigating clogging issues from impurities in water sources.

The Hongfei HF T72 is an agricultural drone with a large capacity that can spray 28 to 30 hectares per hour. It uses smart batteries, and charges relatively quickly. The HF T72 has an effective spray width of more than 15 meters. The arm can be folded up at 90 degrees, for easy transportation.

The smaller Garuda Kisan Agri Drone V. 2 is equipped with various sensors, cameras and other technologies that enable it to collect data and perform tasks related to farming and crop management. The drone can assist in precision farming techniques by precisely applying fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Garuda Aerospace is a provider of drone solutions operating as a drone-as-a-service, an innovative approach to fulfilling the increasing drone needs of India.

The BRO U60 is an innovative agricultural drone that features an integrated design, effectively enhancing spraying crops and seedlings. The entire drone can easily be folded and transported. It offers precise control for autonomous or semi-autonomous flights. The BRO U60 is reliable and resistant to wind, rain and dust. It is stable with strong anti-interference capabilities. It has a payload capacity of 55L for spraying and 80L for spreading.

Also featured is the Spider-i H200, notable for its substantial 92-liter tank capacity, making it one of the largest agricultural spraying drones available. Photo: Spider-i

Rapid advancements

Another interesting drone is the The EAVison J100, suitable for spraying and spreading (payload capacity: 45L, 60L optional). It can cover up to 45 acres per hour. The onboard chipset has outstanding computational power, allowing for the real-time creation of a three-dimensional maps of the operational environment.

There are more new drones in our buyers guide, with innovations that underscore the rapid advancements in agricultural drone technology. Drones are increasingly catering to a wide spectrum of farming needs from precision application to large-scale operations, promising increased efficiency and productivity in modern agriculture.