2018 saw a fair amount of negative press surrounding drones, so it is perhaps important to remind ourselves that drone technology can be used for much more that just a hobby. One of the major benefits of drones is that they bring access to areas that in the past would have been either hard to reach or expensive to reach. They have brought with them almost limitless possibilities and have already been used heavily within film, TV and sport industries as well as being tested for more large scale commercial uses (such as delivery drones).
One industry that over the years has benefited from technological advances more than any other, and that now looks set to benefit from drone technology, is the agricultural industry – and with DJI recently announcing its first agricultural drone it looks likely that the UK farming scene could be about to get a whole lot more twenty first century.
Farming (and arable farming in particular) has benefited perhaps more than any other industry over the last 200-300 years thanks to advances in mechanised farming techniques. With these advances, farmers have seen higher yields, lower costs and as a result they have produced better quality crops.
Drone spraying systems look set to transform the farming industry and give farmers an aerial advantage that will bring with it both speed and precision.
The Law Around Drones & Agriculture
It is important to note that at the time of writing (March 2019) it is not legal to use drones in the UK for commercial spraying of pesticides. However, if we have learned anything from DJI’s rise to commercial drone dominance it is that when they get involved, they do things the right way and they do things on a large scale.
That’s not to say that DJI will have a monopoly on agricultural drones but they do have an advantage over most competitors in that they already have a high quality functioning agricultural drone for spraying that they have brought to market.
Introducing The DJI AGRAS MG-1
The DJI AGRAS MG-1 certainly looks like it will hold plenty of appeal to farmers who want a more efficient pesticide spraying solution. With a 10kg liquid capacity an areas of 4000-6000 square metres can be covered in around 10 minutes – powered by 8 dust and dirt repellent motors. With 4 changeable nozzles and a self cooling and self cleaning system, the MG-1 has intelligent software that will ensure crops get an even spray – even if the octocopter is interrupted mid flight (because of battery depletion or
Although you can’t buy the AGRAS MG-1 direct from DJI as yet, DroneAG are an organisation who have struck up a license with DJI to act as an authorised dealer to supply farms across the UK. Furthermore, DroneAG are acting as much more than just a supplier of the MG-1, they are working hard behind the scenes to test and pass legislation with the CRD and CAA to ensure that drones being used for spraying pesticides in the UK will be done so safely and legally.
DroneAG will also offer support and training pre and post purchase.
We will bring you more on the AGRAS MG-1 when we have it, but for now – head over to the DJI or DroneAG website for the tech specs and more.
