The common question of when farmers and agribusiness start investing in agriculture drones is its potential utility in the long term. Beyond drones, other technologies merit careful consideration for those initiating the digitization of farming processes. And that is nothing wrong.
It is vital to decide whether to purchase an agricultural drone based on your specific needs and the size of your land. Following trends without considering plans is not a good idea. Before purchasing an agriculture drone, it is vital to consider various factors. Another option is collaborating with agriculture drone services company to digitize your farm.
Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, and they vary significantly from one another. Before making your decision, carefully consider the pros and cons of each choice. So, here is when you can purchase an agriculture drone and partner with agriculture drone services provider.
When to buy or partner with agriculture drone services company
Buying your agriculture spraying drones or using a company depends on your needs, budget, and resources. Owning your drones gives you more control and flexibility. But it is also more expensive and requires ongoing maintenance.
Partnering with an agriculture drone company provider is also an excellent start if you want to enter agriculture drone services. You can get a professional drone pilot to handle the spraying and mapping. So you will not have to worry about it. However, it is essential to remember that you will need to invest in technology and have a large plantation to meet the criteria.
(Spraying demo for palm oil plantation in Malaysia. Photo source, internal documentation team)
Pros and cons of partnering with an agriculture drone service company
Pros
Cost-effective and get the updated technology
Hiring an agriculture drone company may be more cost-effective than buying your drones in the short term. You also will be okay with ongoing maintenance or repairs of the drones, which can add up over time.
In addition, drone service companies typically have access to the latest technology and software. So it can ensure you can have accurate data for your crops.
Skilled and trained drone pilot
Partnering with or hiring an agriculture drone service company is a solution if you want to avoid attending drone certification. The company typically employs experienced drone pilots trained in crop spraying or mapping techniques, resulting in more effective treatments. Usually, the agriculture drone service company also offers short training for farmers so they can also operate the drones for some time. Moreover, you will have more time to focus on managing post-harvest and other vital aspects of farming.
Cons
No long-term cost savings
If you want to spray or map your farm, using a drone company every time could be costly in the long run, especially when it comes to the maintenance and repair of drones. Some of you may like to buy your drone equipment for long-term benefits unless you have a budget.
Minimum spraying/mapping area
One of the most significant drawbacks of using drones for agriculture is that you might have to pay for more land than you need. Some companies require a minimum amount of land to be mapped or sprayed.
Pros and cons of buying agriculture drones
Pros
Long-term cost-saving and investment
Using agriculture spraying drones can be a good investment for your farm, especially if you plan to use them frequently. Buying your drones might be more cost-effective in the long run than hiring a company each time. But in this way, you can stay competitive with other farmers.
Flexibility control
Having your personal used drones for farming is an excellent idea because it gives you more control over when and how you spray your crops. So you can adapt to weather and pest conditions without relying on a company.
Cons
Training and certification costs
Even if you want to purchase and maintain drones, specialized training, and expertise are required to safely and effectively operate for agriculture spraying. Of course, you will pay more for the training and certification. Meanwhile, this additional investment of time and resources is necessary to ensure that the drones are appropriately used and that potential safety hazards are avoided.
High upfront costs
Buying agriculture drones can be expensive up front, which might be a dealbreaker for some of you. Plus, you will keep up with the maintenance and repair of drones, which can add even more to the cost and time investment.
Summary
Whether you choose to invest in your agriculture drone or leverage the expertise of a drone service company, carefully weighing the pros and cons is essential. Ultimately, the key lies in aligning your decision with the specific demands of your farm, ensuring a strategic and informed approach to the adoption of agricultural drone technology.
