Revolutionizing Wheat Farming in Romania

 

In the heart of Satu Mare County, Romania, wheat fields are witnessing a transformation powered by cutting-edge technology. For centuries, wheat has served as the backbone of agriculture, providing staple food and essential carbohydrates globally. However, this vital crop faces continuous threats from pests, diseases, and the limitations of traditional farming methods, consuming about 21.47% of global wheat annually. Enter DJI Agriculture drones—a revolutionary solution changing the landscape of wheat farming.

 

This case study will take you through the intricacies of growing wheat in Romania using drones, providing invaluable insights for agricultural innovators, wheat farmers, and modern cultivators.

 

 

 

The Challenge of Wheat Cultivation in Romania

 

Romania's wheat farmers face several hurdles in safeguarding their crops from pests and ensuring robust yields. In Acâș, wheat is not just a crop; it's a lifeline. The growing challenge involves combating invasive weeds that threaten to compromise the yield and economic value of the wheat harvest. To tackle these challenges, farmers need efficient methods that minimize crop damage and optimize yield quality.

 

 

Traditional Techniques and Their Limitations

 

Before the advent of drone technology, Romanian farmers relied heavily on tractors for spraying pesticides and herbicides. While tractors have historically been the workhorse of agriculture, they come with significant drawbacks:

• Crop Damage: Tractors often cause wheel track damage, reducing yields by approximately 5-7% and resulting in a financial loss of about €55-83 per hectare per season.
   
• Time Consumption: With a capacity of covering 40 hectares a day, tractors are relatively slow, reducing operational efficiency.
   
• Resource Intensive: High fuel and water consumption are major concerns, with tractors using 200-300 liters of water per hectare, posing logistical challenges in regions where water scarcity is prevalent.

 

 

Introducing the End-User and the Transition to Drones

 

Meet Sebastian - An Early Adopter

 

Sebastian Emanuel Suth is an experienced agronomist and agricultural consultant who has worked extensively on a local 2,300-hectare farm for 11 years. He recognized these limitations to some of his traditional methods and sought an innovative approach. Upon learning about DJI Agriculture drones, particularly the Agras T30 model, Sebastian initiated a trial with the Riagro team. This marked the beginning of a new era in his farming operations.

 

Within the first growing season after adopting DJI Agriculture drones, Sebastian treated 215.61 hectares with precision technology. His decision was driven by the promise of reduced crop damage, lower operational costs, and improved yield efficiency.

 

Why Sebastian Chose DJI Agras Drones

 

Here's why this choice proved revolutionary:

 

Benefits	Data
No crop damage and yield loss caused by wheel track	The drone can bring 55-83 €/ha/season more income for the farmer
Significantly save chemical fuel compared to ground sprayers	Averagely 0.6-0.7 €/ha is required, saving 80% of fuel cost compared with that used by a tractor above. (0.6-0.7 €/ha = 1.62 €/L gasoline * 30-35 L gasoline/80 ha used)
Higher efficiency than small- and middle-sized ground sprayers	Reaches 80 ha/day. Tractor: 40 ha/day, increasing efficiency by 100%
Saving water resources, alleviating agricultural water problems	Agricultural drone: 10-20 L/ha; Tractor: 200-300 L/ha, saving above 90%
Timely response minimizes potential losses by doing post-rain spraying	Only 1-2 hours after rain, the drone can start the spraying work
The powerful downwash by drone’s propellers provides effective droplet penetration	See figure 1.

 

 

Figure 1. Fine and even droplets delivered by DJI Agras

 

 

Essential Features for Precision Agriculture

 

DJI drones are equipped with features that make them indispensable in modern farming and crop protection:

 

• Propeller Downwash: This feature ensures effective droplet penetration, enhancing the efficacy of pesticide application.
   
• Automatic Operation Mode: Simplifying flight planning and ensuring uniform coverage across fields.

 

 

Chemical Intervention and Workflow

 

The intervention took place on March 30, 2024, employing the DJI Agras T30. For this operation, the chemical used was Sekator Progress OD from Bayer, applied at a rate of 0.15 liters per hectare. The workflow involved precise flight planning, data capture, and analysis, followed by the Agras drone's efficient spraying.

 

Active Ingredient	Formulation	Chemical Ratio (g or ml) per Liter	Chemical Amount (g or ml) per Hectare
Sekator Progress OD from Bayer	Oil Dispersion	100 g/L amidosulfuron 25 g/L iodosulfuron-metil-Na 250 g/L mefenpyr-dietil	0.15 L/ha

 

 

Operation Parameters

 

Insecticide & Fungicide & Growth Regulator & Foliar Fertilizer	T50 / T40
Operation Mode (Automatic or Manual)	Automatic
Application Rate (gal/acre) or (L/ha)	10-15 L/ha
Droplet Size (µm)	100-300 µm
Flight Speed (km/h) or (m/s)	20-25 km/h
Route Spacing (ft) or (m)	7-9 m
Height Above the Crop (ft) or (m)	3-3.5 m

*In later growing stage, lower flight speed is recommended to increase penetration

 

 

Herbicide	T50 / T40
Operation Mode (Automatic or Manual)	Automatic
Application Rate (gal/acre) or (L/ha)	12-20 L/ha
Droplet Size (µm)	250-400 µm
Flight Speed (km/h) or (m/s)	20-25 km/h
Route Spacing (ft) or (m)	6-6.5 m
Height Above the Crop (ft) or (m)	3-3.5 m

*Herbicide has higher requirement for uniformity and higher risk of drift, so lower flight speed, lower route spacing and larger droplet size are recommended

 

 

Insecticide & Fungicide & Growth Regulator & Foliar Fertilizer	T30
Operation Mode (Automatic or Manual)	Automatic
Application Rate (gal/acre) or (L/ha)	10-15 L/ha
Nozzle Used	XR11001VS
Flight Speed (km/h) or (m/s)	20-23 km/h
Route Spacing (ft) or (m)	6-6.5 m
Height Above the Crop (ft) or (m)	2.5-3 m

*In later growing stage, lower flight speed is recommended to increase penetration

 

 

Herbicide	T30
Operation Mode (Automatic or Manual)	Automatic
Application Rate (gal/acre) or (L/ha)	12-20 L/ha
Nozzle Used	XR11001/015VS
Flight Speed (km/h) or (m/s)	18-20 km/h
Route Spacing (ft) or (m)	5.5-6 m
Height Above the Crop (ft) or (m)	2.2 – 2.5 m

*Herbicide has higher requirement for uniformity and higher risk of drift, so lower flight speed, lower route spacing and larger droplet size are recommended

 

 

 

Results and Impact

 

The use of DJI drones resulted in a stark contrast between treated and untreated fields. The benefits were manifold:

 

• Increased Profitability: Farmers like Sebastian witnessed an increase in yield, translating to higher profits.
   
• Reduced Chemical Usage: Optimal droplet distribution meant lower chemical consumption without compromising effectiveness.

 

Before


After

 

 

Testimonial from the Field

 

"I plan using exclusively the drone for pesticide spraying on all the crops we have in our farm, because it has better coverage and it’s much more cost-efficient," says Sebastian.

 

 

Key Insights and Future Prospects

 

Sebastian's experience provides valuable insights for other farmers considering drone technology:

 

• Lower Dosage Efficiency: Sebastian recommends not hesitating to use lower chemical concentrations. In contrast to traditional tractor applications, reduced doses can have a more effective impact due to the propeller downwash. With the superior coverage provided by drones, you can try as little as 20% of the pesticide dosage compared to conventional methods. (Note: please do a test first in a small plot before performing wide area spraying).

 

 

Special Thanks and Further Resources

Our sincere gratitude goes to Sebastian Emanuel Suth and the Riagro team for their invaluable collaboration. For more information and resources, visit droneagricole.ro or follow their social media channels linked below:

Instagram: Riagrodrones

Facebook: Drone Agricole Riagro

YouTube: Drone Agricole Riagro

 

In conclusion, DJI Agriculture drones are not just tools; they are catalysts for innovation and sustainability in wheat farming. By adopting this technology, Romanian farmers can enhance their operations, achieve higher yields, and contribute meaningfully to global food security.

 

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