Category Archives: Guidelines

The agricultural sector has been no stranger to the digital revolution that is unfolding in the world today.

• According to a study by Goldman Sachs, the agriculture sector is predicted to be the 2ndlargest user of drones in the world in the next five years.
• In China alone, the number of agriculture drones is estimated to have doubled between 2016 and 2017, reaching 13,000 aircrafts.

This change is already being driven rapidly in Asia in countries like China, Korea and Japan, where the use of drones provides new possibilities in addressing the pressing food security challenges amplified by aging population and urbanization resulting in labour shortage in the region.The Crop Protection industry sees the use of drone for the application of crop protection products highly promising in enhancing farmer lives.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly used by farmers for a large host of agricultural activities including pesticide application. Farmers indeed should be enabled to take advantage of new technologies that bring about labour-savings, better precision and reduced operator exposure to pesticide spray.

However, it is important these innovations are also used correctly and responsibly to protect operators, bystanders and the environment. This guidance document aims to provide recommendations on the knowledge and skills required of UAV or drone operators to be licensed to operate pesticide application safely and effectively.

Worldwide, Uncrewed Aerial Spray Systems (UASS) have been used positively in health care, relief work, wildlife protection, the film industry, mining activities, security surveillance, and recently in revolutionalising agriculture.
Integrating UASS into modern agriculture has marked a significant shift, impacting crop farming practices. UASS, or Uncrewed Aerial Spray Systems, have become indispensable tools for precision agriculture. Their ability to capture highresolution imagery and collect real-time data has transformed how farmers monitor, manage, and optimise their crops.
From assessing crop health and detecting potential issues to precisely applying fertilisers and pesticides, UASS have ushered in an era of efficiency, sustainability, and data-driven decisionmaking in crop farming. UASS have a transformative influence on crop agriculture, unlocking new possibilities associated with better protection of the crops, cost-effectiveness, flexibility, reduced worker exposure, environmental conservation and overall agricultural sustainability.