Modern agriculture is undergoing a technological revolution, fundamentally transforming the global industry. Drones are no longer just tools for data collection—they have evolved into highly effective field-processing solutions that deliver instant results. Robotics and automation are redefining how the industry addresses key challenges.
Since 2018,DroneUAhas been at the forefront of agro-drone spraying, pioneering the application of plant protection products through unmanned solutions. These technologies not only identify field issues but also efficiently resolve them. To date, DroneUA's drones have treated over7.5 million acres, applying ultra-low doses of pesticides with exceptional precision. This approach has resulted in95% water savings, a 90% reduction in fuel consumption, and targeted application that minimizes waste.
With its deep expertise inagrodrones and robotics,Futurology/DroneUAparticipated in thePA Elevation working group meeting in Pennsylvania (USA) on December 19. This strategically significant event gathered key industry players to explore development prospects and effective strategies for integrating unmanned technologies into agriculture.
Sustainable agriculture: Ukraine’s breakthrough experience and opportunities for the US
Valerii Iakovenko,co-founder and managing partner of DroneUA and Futurology, as well asco-chair of the Agricultural Committee of the PA Drone Association, shared insights on implementing innovative technologies in precision agriculture. He also presented strategies forscaling agri-tech businesses internationally—highly relevant for the US agricultural sector as it embraces automation and robotics.
"I founded my business 11 years ago when drone technology was just beginning to change the world. We started as a drone manufacturer, producing drones in Ukraine and exporting them to Europe. From the outset, we were inspired by American companies, particularly those utilizing third-party aerodynamic platforms. One of the most influential was3D Robotics (3DR), which allowed us to modify designs, integrate advanced flight control systems, and optimize software. This made our drones highly effective for data collection, especially inGIS applications. As a result, we adopted amodular business model, combining different components—cameras, lenses, and flight control systems — into a single platform. Our drones set aflight-time record of 150 minutes, with an average operational time of120 minutes per mission, covering400 to 1,000 hectaresdepending on altitude. This made them an incredibly efficient data collection tool."
Reflecting on DroneUA’s market expansion, Iakovenko emphasized:
"From day one, our drones covered95% of Ukraine’s agricultural market, which includes over28 million hectaresof arable land. One of our largest projects involved supporting amerger and acquisition for Kernel, one of the world’s largest agricultural holdings, managing over1 million acresof farmland. In justsix weeks, we mapped250,000 acreswithRTK accuracy. This data played a key role in determining land asset values during the transaction and strategically planning future investments. This project reinforced a crucial realization: in modern agribusiness,data is the most valuable asset. As satellite technology advanced, farmers gainedfree access to imageryfromPlanet Labs, Sentinel, and Landsat, often bundled with products from agricultural giants likeSyngenta. As drones were no longer the sole source of precision agriculture data, we pivoted our strategic focus todrone-based agrochemical applications."
Withrapid growth in the US drone market, particularly in agriculture, American farmers are looking toUkraine’s experiencein integrating unmanned technologies. A clear sign of this shift is theFAA’s recent approvalsfornight flights and drone swarm operations, creating new opportunities for drones to compete with traditional agricultural machinery.
This shift also presentsmajor economic benefits. As demand for drone operators rises, the US market could generateover 150,000 new jobsin drone spraying alone — considering that at least onepilot is required per 1,000 hectares.
"As co-chair of thePennsylvania Drone Association’s Agriculture Committee, I am convinced thatPennsylvaniacan become a hub for agri-tech innovation, particularly infruit and berry farming, viticulture, and high-value crop production. By adoptingprecision drone spraying, we canincrease yields, lower costs, and reduce environmental impact,"said Iakovenko.
Within the nextfive years,most US farmsare expected to incorporate drone sprayingat least once per season, highlighting the urgent need totrain operators, expand regulations, and fully integrate robotics into agricultural production.
Innovation and women’s empowerment in agriculture
Beyond automation and robotics, the agricultural industry is also experiencing agender shift. More women are stepping intokey roles in engineering, data analytics, and innovation project management, fosteringequal access to tech careersand drivingsustainable, eco-friendly solutions.
A prime example of this progress isBEETLESS, awomen-led startupco-founded byDroneUA and Mosqitter. The company specializes inagricultural robotics, offeringnon-toxic, pesticide-free pest control solutions.
"Balance in agriculture is crucial. Humanity relies on pesticides to sustain food production, yet we must seek alternatives. OurBEETLESS smart robotic trapsleverage insects' natural instincts to attract and neutralize pests,reducing chemical dependency—especially fororganic farmers and high-value crop producers. By integrating robotics, we createa sustainable balancebetween cutting-edge technologies and traditional farming,"saidOleksandra Afanasieva,co-founder and CEO of BEETLESSandco-chair of the Agricultural Committee of the PA Drone Association.
Afanasieva also emphasized thegrowing role of women in STEMand therising interest among young womenin agri-tech careers:
"In Ukraine, we saw this early on when we collaborated with universities like theNational University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NULES). We introducedprecision agriculture coursesand found that20–30% of students were women. Agriculture in Ukraine has historically attracted women, but with technology’s evolution, we’re seeingmore female studentscombiningtraditional knowledge with modern innovation. The industry is becoming attractive again—not as a return to tradition, but as ahigh-tech career path integrating AI, robotics, and automation. As co-chair of thePennsylvania Drone Association’s Agriculture Committee, I actively promoteSTEM opportunities for women, collaborating withscientists, engineers, and robotics experts. Our mission is toencourage more women to pursue careers in agri-tech and ensure access to opportunities in robotics, AI, and sustainable agriculture."
Global agriculture has entereda new era, wheredrones, robotics, and precision farmingare no longer just tools but thefoundation of sustainable industry development. Ukraine’s expertise inagrodroneshas proven thatinnovative approachescansave resources, boost yields, and minimize environmental impact.
At the same time,social changeis accelerating alongside technological breakthroughs.Women are increasingly occupying leadership positions in agri-tech, reshaping the industry’s landscape.Ukraine is leading these changes, setting aglobal benchmark—including for theUnited States.
Futurology extends its gratitude to colleagues at thePennsylvania Drone Associationand all participants ofPA Elevationfor their valuable discussions, knowledge-sharing, and collaborations that will contribute toenhancing global food security.
