The use of drones in the agricultural sector is moving beyond experimental innovation and becoming an everyday tool on farms of all types. More and more farmers, technicians, and institutions are embracing this technology to improve crop monitoring and management, optimize resources, and anticipate potential problems on their farms.
In Spain, various public and private initiatives, from research centers to specialized companies and cooperatives, are driving the digitalization of agriculture with drones , demonstrating their potential both in large-scale farming and in more specific crops. Pilot projects, demonstration days, and the opening of specialized technology centers show that precision agriculture is taking off thanks to these small unmanned aerial vehicles.
Conferences and projects: the role of training and research
One of the most noteworthy recent activities took place in Lebrija (Seville) , where the Andalusian Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries, Food and Organic Production Research and Training (IFAPA) and the Las Marismas Cooperative held a workshop focused on the application of drones in open-field horticultural crops . This initiative, within the framework of the SENS-AGRO project, demonstrated to technicians and farmers how drones facilitate crop monitoring, the precise application of pesticides and biostimulants , and the use of multispectral cameras to detect plant stress before symptoms are visible to the naked eye.
During the event, the advantages of integrating professional and recreational drones with open-source software programs were analyzed , making the technology more accessible even to small farms. Demonstration flights were also conducted over tomato plots, where Ifapa technicians guided the data collection and treatment application process. The resources used include advanced sensors and analytical software , currently applied in projects related to soil management, irrigation optimization, and digitalization.
Drones and precision agriculture in Galicia
In Galicia, the European Digital Innovation Hub DataLife, together with the Advanced Center for Aerospace Technologies (CATEC), held a training day focused on drones in precision agriculture . The participating experts highlighted the usefulness of drones for gathering detailed information on crop health, detecting pests or water shortages early, and creating high-resolution maps using thermal and multispectral sensors.
One of the key aspects is that the decreasing cost and versatility of these devices have allowed farmers with large tracts of land to schedule frequent flights to monitor the development of their fields. Within the framework of the Hiba+ project, the systematic collection of data aims to feed an online platform where farmers can obtain comparisons and personalized analyses. The applications are not limited to a single type of crop, but are adapted to vineyards, potato fields, olive groves, and forested areas , demonstrating that drones have become a flexible and highly useful tool.
Leading companies and new services: the example of Cultivdron
The rise of smart agriculture has led to the emergence of specialized companies like Cultivdron , based in Salamanca, which already manages drone operations across some 30.000 hectares annually throughout Spain. Its fleet of aircraft is divided into application drones (with tanks of up to 50 liters for applying plant protection products), remote sensing drones (equipped with RGB, thermal, and multispectral sensors) , and cargo drones for the logistical transport of supplies in challenging terrain. They also offer training, consulting, and maintenance services , and bid on public contracts for large-scale projects.
One of the key points is building trust among farmers, who have experienced benefits such as the absence of soil compaction, efficient product application , and optimized working time in the face of labor shortages . The future challenge lies in expanding the range of products authorized for aerial application and keeping pace with the technological evolution of drones.
Latest trends in technological integration and strategic alliances
The integration of advanced technology and artificial intelligence is a growing trend. A prime example is John Deere's recent acquisition of Sentera, a leading US company specializing in remote sensing solutions for agriculture. This acquisition will allow farmers to access even more sophisticated data analysis tools, such as the automatic generation of weed maps that optimize herbicide use and the precise assessment of plant health at the individual plant level.
The combined use of agricultural management software, specialized cameras, and wireless connectivity facilitates the integration of drones with other equipment and digital platforms, expanding the range of solutions available for all types of farms. The sector's approach is that access to these technologies should be flexible, open, and focused on the specific needs of farmers.
In parallel, public administrations and innovation hubs continue to promote the creation of technology and training centers with laboratories equipped with drones, sensors and analysis tools, strengthening an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and experimentation in the agri-food sector.
Spanish agriculture is moving towards accelerated digitalization, where drones represent a key lever for improving efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness . The sector faces regulatory and technological challenges, but confidence in the results, the decreasing cost of the technology, and synergies between companies, research centers, and government agencies ensure that its adoption will increase in the coming years.