Drone Spraying – the New Face of Modern Agriculture
In recent years, drone spraying has become one of the most sought-after services among Bulgarian farmers. And the reason is simple – drones offer speed, precision and efficiency that traditional methods simply cannot achieve. While ground machinery struggles with muddy roads after rain and aviation is too expensive for smaller areas, the agri drone has found its niche precisely between the two.
At AirAgro we offer professional drone spraying for agricultural farms throughout Bulgaria. We use the DJI Agras T50 – one of the most advanced agricultural drones on the market, combining large capacity with exceptional application precision.
How Drone Spraying Works
The process of spraying with an agri drone is considerably simpler than most people imagine. Here is what a standard treatment includes:
Pre-Treatment Preparation
Before taking off, our team surveys the terrain. We use GPS coordinates and satellite imagery to plan the exact drone route. This includes determining field boundaries, identifying obstacles such as poles or trees, and the direction of processing.
Parameter Configuration
Each crop and each preparation requires different settings. We adjust flight height, travel speed, droplet size and the spray rate. The DJI Agras T50 has an intelligent nozzle control system that guarantees uniform coverage of every square metre.
The Spraying Itself
The drone follows the pre-set route with centimetre precision. Thanks to RTK navigation, overlap between adjacent passes is minimal and missed sections are practically non-existent. One DJI Agras T50 can process up to 200 decares per hour – a speed unachievable by most ground sprayers.
Monitoring and Reporting
After treatment is complete, you receive a full report – a map of the treated area, execution time and amount of preparation used. This transparency is important to you as the farm manager, because you know exactly what has been done on your field.
For more details on the operating mechanism, see our article on how an agricultural drone works.
Advantages of Drone Spraying Over Traditional Methods
Speed and Efficiency
One of the most tangible advantages of drone spraying is speed. While a tractor with a mounted sprayer processes an average of 30–50 decares per hour, the DJI Agras T50 covers up to 200 decares in the same time. This means that even large areas can be treated within a day.
No Soil Compaction
Tractors and self-propelled sprayers inevitably compact the soil when passing through. This is particularly problematic in wet conditions or with delicate crops in early stages. The drone flies at a height of 2–3 metres above the crops and does not touch the soil. No tramlines, no yield loss from trampled plants.
Precise Dosing
Traditional sprayers often apply more preparation than necessary, especially at turns and at pass overlaps. The agri drone works with a precise flow control system that automatically stops spraying when turning and resumes when entering a new pass. The result is up to 30% less preparation consumption at the same or better effectiveness.
If you are undecided between a drone and a tractor, read our detailed comparison of drone and tractor for spraying.
Access to Difficult-to-Reach Terrain
In Bulgaria, a considerable proportion of arable land lies on hilly terrain, with sloping sections, or next to water bodies. A tractor cannot work normally on a slope of more than 8–10 degrees. The drone, however, is not affected by terrain slope – it flies at a uniform height above the crop, regardless of the relief.
Speed in Emergency Treatments
When there is a mass pest or disease outbreak, time is of the essence. Mobilising aviation takes days. A tractor may not be available exactly when needed. Drone spraying can be organised within hours, giving farmers an invaluable advantage at critical moments.
What Crops Can Be Treated with a Drone
Drone spraying services are suitable for practically all main agricultural crops grown in Bulgaria:
- Wheat and barley – treatment with herbicides, fungicides and foliar fertilisers
- Maize – particularly effective for tall maize, when tractors can no longer enter the field
- Sunflower – precise treatment against diseases
- Rapeseed – a delicate crop that benefits from contactless application
- Vineyards and orchards – specialised spraying with adapted parameters
- Vegetable crops – for farms that want minimal contact with the soil
For specific information on crop protection with a drone and which preparations can be applied, read our specialised article.
DJI Agras T50 – the Drone We Use
Not all agricultural drones are equal. At AirAgro we work with the DJI Agras T50 – the industry-leading model – and here is why:
- 40-litre tank – allows longer sorties without needing frequent preparation changes
- Flow rate up to 16 litres per minute – ensures fast and uniform coverage
- Dual positioning system (RTK + visual navigation) – precision to 2 cm
- 8 nozzles with adjustable droplet size – adapting to different preparation types
- Obstacle avoidance radar – safe operation even in complex terrain
- Working width up to 11 metres – rapid coverage of large areas
- Vortex technology – the vortex effect from the rotors directs droplets deep into the leaf canopy for uniform coverage even on lower leaves and the interior of crowns
This equipment allows us to offer our clients a top-class service, without compromising on quality.
Certificates and Licences
AirAgro operates with a full set of licences and certificates: BFSA (Bulgarian Food Safety Agency) licence for plant protection activities, CAA permit, DJI Academy certificates for professional operation of agri drones, and status as a Professional User of PPP (Plant Protection Products). All treatments are documented with GPS records.
These certificates guarantee that every spraying operation is carried out in full compliance with Bulgarian and European law. For farmers participating in agri-environmental programmes, we provide full documentation, including GPS coordinates and preparation consumption reports.
Who Is the Service Suitable For
Drone spraying is suitable for a wide range of farmers:
- Small and medium farmers (50 to 500 decares) – who do not own their own sprayer or want a more effective alternative
- Large farms – as a complement to ground machinery, especially for emergency treatments or difficult-to-access sections
- Tenants – managing scattered plots in different locations
- Organic producers – who want minimal impact on the ecosystem
- Wine and orchard growers – needing specialised treatment
If you want to learn more about the full range of services with an agri drone we offer, visit our overview article.
When Is It Best to Spray with a Drone
The timing of treatment is a key factor for the effectiveness of any spraying. There are several main rules:
- Early morning or evening – when the wind is light and the temperature is lower, reducing evaporation of the preparation
- Wind speed up to 3–4 m/s – the DJI Agras T50 can operate in moderate wind but for optimal results we aim for calm conditions
- No rain in the next 2–4 hours – to allow the preparation to be absorbed
- When the crops are at the appropriate phenological stage – our specialists help determine the optimal moment
What Preparations Are Applied
Practically all types of liquid preparations can be applied with an agri drone:
- Herbicides for weed control
- Fungicides for prevention and treatment of fungal diseases
- Insecticides against pests
- Foliar fertilisers for feeding
- Plant growth regulators
- Biopreparations
It is important that the preparations are approved for aerial application and that the manufacturer's instructions are followed. Our team advises every client on suitable doses and combinations.
How Much Does Drone Spraying Cost
The price of drone spraying depends on several factors – area, location, crop type and number of treatments. For detailed information on the price of drone spraying and what determines the value, see our specialised article.
In general, the service is competitive with ground spraying, and in many cases more cost-effective when saved resources and better results are taken into account.
Regions We Serve
AirAgro offers professional drone spraying in key agricultural areas of Bulgaria. Our teams serve farms in the following regions:
- Plovdiv and Plovdiv Province – the Thracian Plain with its extensive cereal and vegetable areas
- Stara Zagora and the region – one of the most active agricultural areas in Southern Bulgaria
- Pazardzhik and surroundings – intensive farming with diverse crops
- Haskovo and Haskovo Province – vineyards, orchards and arable crops
- Dobrudzha – the breadbasket of Bulgaria, with vast areas of wheat and sunflower
- Thrace – favourable climate and fertile soils for all types of crops
Whether your farm is in flat or hilly country, our team reaches you with full equipment and readiness to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many decares can a drone process in one day?
The DJI Agras T50 processes up to 200 decares per hour under standard conditions. In one working day we can cover between 800 and 1,500 decares depending on the crop, terrain and number of refills. This is 3–5 times faster than a ground sprayer.
Is drone spraying safe for bees?
Yes, drone spraying is considerably safer for bees compared to ground methods. Precise application reduces the drift of preparations outside the treated zone. Nevertheless, legislation requires notification of beekeepers within a radius of 3 km, which we strictly comply with.
Can you spray with a drone during rain or strong winds?
We do not recommend spraying in winds above 4 m/s or if rain is expected in the next 2–4 hours. Our team monitors meteorological conditions and reschedules treatment if needed to guarantee maximum preparation effectiveness.
What is the minimum area for drone spraying?
We work with areas from 20 decares upwards. For farms in the Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Pazardzhik and Haskovo areas we also offer the option of combining neighbouring areas for more favourable terms.
Do you offer seasonal subscriptions for spraying?
Yes, we offer seasonal packages including herbicide, fungicide and insecticide treatment, as well as foliar feeding. Subscription packages are considerably more cost-effective than individual treatments and guarantee priority service during peak periods.
How We Work – 4 Steps to a Treated Field
1. Request and Consultation
Contact us by phone or through the form on the website. We clarify the crop type, area, problems and desired result.
2. Planning with RTK Mapping
Our team prepares a precise flight plan with RTK mapping of the plot. If SHP files are available, we integrate them directly.
3. Treatment Execution
The DJI Agras T50 treats the field with Vortex technology for uniform coverage. We monitor weather conditions in real time.
4. GPS Report and Analysis
You receive a detailed report with GPS coordinates, treated area, preparation consumption and recommendations for the next treatment.
Contact AirAgro for a Free Consultation
If you have decided it is time to modernise the way you care for your crops, AirAgro is your reliable partner. We offer professional drone spraying in the Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Pazardzhik, Haskovo, Dobrudzha and Thrace areas – with modern DJI Agras T50 equipment and an experienced team.
Request a free consultation and farm inspection:
- Contact us via the contact form at airagro.bg or by phone
- Receive a free inspection and personalised treatment plan
- Receive a quote within 24 hours
- Schedule a convenient date for a drone demonstration or direct treatment
Don't wait for pests to gain the upper hand. Request a free consultation from AirAgro today and see for yourself the difference that modern technology can make for your farm.
