The use of drones represents an important tool for agriculture to face its future challenges. The sector is aware of the possibilities that this innovation can bring when it comes to gaining precision, efficiency, and sustainability, arousing special interest in preventing and controlling pests and diseases. However, implementing drone use for this fundamental agricultural operation in the EU still raises insurmountable technical, economic, and regulatory challenges. That's why the Valencian Farmers' Association (AVA-ASAJA) is participating in a new project, the DRONSafe Task Force, which is now launching its first drone flights over Valencian fields.
The "Application of phytosanitary products using drones to reduce exposure to active materials" project aims to demonstrate that the use of unmanned aerial equipment adjusted to the agronomic particularities of Mediterranean crops is in line with the environmental requirements established by European legislation.
Different entities from Extremadura, Andalusia, Valencia, Madrid, the Basque Country, and Castilla y León are participating in DRONSafe. The Business Association for Plant Protection (Aepla) coordinates the technical part of the consortium carrying out the project and the National Agri-Food Technology Centre (CTAEX) its administrative part. The consortium includes the State Agency of the Higher Council for Scientific Research-National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC). AVA-ASAJA is its end-user in the Valencian Community, the Unión Agroganadera de Álava-Arabako Nekazarien Elkartea (UAGA), the end-user in the Basque Country, the Bodega Cuatro Rayas Sociedad Cooperativa Agroalimentaria, the end-user in Castilla y León, and FTS AgroConsulting, a company officially recognized (E.O.R 87/14) by MAPA for the performance of official tests with phytosanitary products. The group also has three technical subcontractors: the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (NEIKER-BRTA), the Research Foundation of the University of Seville, and the Valencian Institute for Agricultural Research (IVIA).
The experiments initiated at AVA-ASAJA's Sinyent Farm are just one of several living labs (innovation laboratories, in this case, partially carried out outdoors) on crops such as citrus, grapes, and potatoes. The idea for the consortium arose as a result of the regulations governing the use of unmanned aerial equipment for the application of crop protection products, both under the current Sustainable Use Directive and the proposed future regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products.
According to European regulation, Member States may exempt drones from the ban on the application of plant protection products by aerial application via unmanned aircraft when they demonstrate that the risks arising from their use are lower than the risks arising from other aerial and ground application equipment. Thus, the use of drones is conditional on the demonstration that they pose fewer risks to human health and the environment than other applications.
The project plans to develop realistic and representative scenarios for this type of flight, adjusted to typical Mediterranean agro-environmental conditions. Specifically, it aims to evaluate scenarios of environmental drift exposure, operator and bystander safety, as well as dietary exposure to residues. AVA-ASAJA will work to incorporate technologies into the sector that optimize pest control and protect the environment and the health of producers and consumers.
The project also fits into a legislative context that could open up new opportunities. For example, the French National Assembly has just passed a bill authorizing the application of phytosanitary products by drones on certain crops, such as bananas and certain vineyards, when the slope of the land exceeds 20%.
The European Union is co-financing 80% of DRONSafe through the Strategic Plan of the CAP-FEADER with an aid of 584,391.17 euros.
For further information:
AVA-ASAJA
Email: info@avaasaja.org
www.avaasaja.org