Kazakhstan explores agro-drones to revolutionize agriculture

Date:11-29-2024

The potential of drones to transform agriculture in Kazakhstan was a key topic at a government meeting on November 26. Officials discussed the environmental and economic advantages of adopting agro-drones over traditional spraying equipment.

International examples demonstrate that agro-drones can significantly reduce water usage, lower CO2 emissions, and access hard-to-reach areas more effectively. Sanzhar Nurgazinov, representing a company that operates agro-drones, highlighted their efficiency: while wheeled sprayers require 150 liters of water per hectare—amounting to 750,000 liters for 5,000 hectares—a drone uses just 50,000 liters for the same area, reducing water consumption more than 15-fold. Additionally, drones prevent the 6% crop loss caused by the tracks of wheeled sprayers, ensuring higher harvest yields.

To advance drone adoption, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture has partnered with the Chinese company Eavision to import 80 drones for pest and disease management. Furthermore, a joint venture, Sunkar Eavision International LLP, has been established to assemble drones locally in the Alatau Special Economic Zone near Almaty.

The Ministry has been tasked with creating a roadmap by February 2025 for integrating agro-drones into the country’s agricultural practices. This plan includes establishing service centers, training specialists, and developing financial support programs to help farmers acquire this cutting-edge technology.

By embracing agro-drones, Kazakhstan aims to modernize its agricultural sector, boosting efficiency and sustainability while addressing the challenges of water conservation and crop protection.