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.
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.
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:
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.
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
DJI drones are equipped with features that make them indispensable in modern farming and crop protection:
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 |
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
The use of DJI drones resulted in a stark contrast between treated and untreated fields. The benefits were manifold:
Before After
"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.
Sebastian's experience provides valuable insights for other farmers considering drone technology:
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.
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/DJIAgriculture
Follow us on YouTube: youtube.com/@DJIAgriculture
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/djiagriculture_official
Related Articles
Revolutionizing Sugarcane Farming in Thailand with DJI Agras T30
Revolutionizing Cotton Farming in Greece with DJI Agriculture Drones
Wheat Farming with DJI Agriculture Drone Solutions