Crop Protection: Drones as Key Allies in Safeguarding Crops
By 2025, crop protection treatments with drones have become one of the most innovative and effective tools for safeguarding agricultural production. What only a few years ago seemed like experimental technology is now a regulated reality, with companies and farmers incorporating these solutions into their daily routines. Thanks to the ability of drones to apply products with great precision, treatments are more effective, costs are reduced, and environmental impact is minimized compared to traditional machinery.
The benefits go far beyond saving time or product: aerial application with agricultural drones makes it possible to reach hard-to-access areas, treat sloped fields, mosaic plots, or land where ground machinery is not viable. In addition, modern technology—sensors, digital mapping, and automated flight systems—ensures uniform product distribution, resulting in healthier and more sustainable crops.
Fumigation vs. Spraying
This advancement represents a true revolution compared to conventional methods. While fumigation refers to the use of gases, often associated with higher drift risks, BENIU’s technology focuses on localized spraying, applying the product in microdroplets directly onto the crop in a precise and controlled manner. This difference, though subtle, is essential: it combines treatment effectiveness with safer and more sustainable use of crop protection products. For a deeper look at this distinction, see our article on fumigation vs. spraying, where we explain how these techniques have evolved toward safer and more responsible models.
In this context, 2025 marks a point of maturity: a clear regulatory framework is now in place in Spain and across Europe governing the use of drones for crop protection applications. Pioneering companies like ours are at the forefront, offering certified, safe, and tailored solutions adapted to the needs of the agricultural sector.
Current Regulatory Framework in Spain for Drone-Based Crop Protection Treatments
The legal framework governing crop protection treatments with drones in Spain rests on two fundamental pillars: the aeronautical domain, which ensures the safety of operations in airspace, and the phytosanitary domain, which guarantees the responsible use of products and equipment. Compliance with both is essential for treatments to be legal, safe, and sustainable.
Aeronautical domain
In Europe, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulates drone operations through Regulations (EU) 2019/947 and 2019/945. These establish three categories of drone operations (open, specific, and certified), pilot requirements, and technical conditions for aircraft.
In practice, crop protection treatments with drones fall under the specific category, since they exceed the limitations of the open category and involve added risk by combining flight with the dispersion of chemical products.
In Spain, the competent authority is the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), which has adapted European regulations through Royal Decree 517/2024. This decree specifies key issues such as:
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Geographical flight zones: restrictions in urban areas, sensitive zones, or near aerodromes.
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Authorization procedures: submission of a SORA safety study or using the standard scenario PDRA-01 to simplify the process in certain cases.
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Operator requirements: accreditation as an authorized company, registration of drones with AESA, and an up-to-date operations manual.
In addition, aeronautical regulations require companies performing crop protection treatments with drones to:
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Keep detailed records of flights and equipment maintenance.
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Coordinate with other authorities if flights affect critical infrastructure or protected areas.
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Hold an aeronautical liability insurance policy covering potential material or personal damage caused by the drone.
Compliance with aeronautical regulations ensures that operations are conducted safely for both airspace and people on the ground.
Phytosanitary domain
Parallel to aeronautical law, the phytosanitary framework regulates how products must be used and what requirements companies applying treatments with drones must meet. The cornerstone is Royal Decree 1311/2012, which establishes the basis for the sustainable use of plant protection products in Spain. It states that aerial treatments (including drones) are prohibited unless expressly authorized by the corresponding Autonomous Community. This means every operation requires a specific permit, under strict supervision.
Mandatory registrations:
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Companies applying phytosanitary products with drones must be registered in the ROPO (Official Register of Producers and Operators of plant protection products) as authorized entities, certifying that they have the training, infrastructure, and protocols required.
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Each agricultural drone must also be registered in the REGANIP (Register of Agricultural Machinery), just like conventional spraying equipment. The registration details technical specifications such as model, tank capacity, and spraying system, ensuring authorities track the equipment used in the field.
Pilots and personnel:
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The drone pilot must hold a qualified plant protection applicator license, proving in-depth knowledge of risks and techniques.
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At least one assistant with a basic applicator license must also be present. Treatments cannot be carried out by a single operator, ensuring safety and compliance.
Authorized products:
Not all products can be applied with drones. The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) maintains a list of phytosanitary products authorized for aerial application. Each product label must explicitly state that aerial spraying is permitted, ensuring consumer, applicator, and environmental safety.
Application equipment:
Agricultural drones are considered spraying equipment and are subject to periodic inspections (ITEAF – Technical Inspection of Plant Protection Equipment) under Royal Decree 1702/2011. Although no specific technical regulation for drones exists yet, the same framework applied to conventional machinery is enforced. This ensures tanks, nozzles, and spraying systems operate correctly, avoiding risks from malfunction or incorrect dosage.
Phytosanitary insurance:
Operators must hold a specific liability insurance policy for phytosanitary risks, in addition to the aeronautical insurance required by AESA. This covers potential damage from handling and applying chemicals, such as accidental contamination or damage to neighboring crops.
Aeronautical and phytosanitary compliance with drones
The current regulatory framework requires companies to comply with two complementary and non-excludable domains:
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Aeronautical law (EASA + AESA, Royal Decree 517/2024): regulates flight safety, authorizations, operator requirements, and mandatory insurance.
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Phytosanitary law (MAPA + Autonomous Communities, ROPO + REGANIP, Royal Decree 1311/2012): regulates which products can be applied, with which equipment, and the training/registration requirements for companies and pilots.
Only by integrating both frameworks can drone-based crop protection treatments be legal, effective, and sustainable, minimizing risks to human health, crops, and the environment, while providing legal certainty for both companies and farmers.
BENIU: Pioneers in Drone-Based Crop Protection in Spain
We have positioned ourselves as one of the first companies in Spain officially authorized by AESA to carry out crop protection treatments with drones. This recognition is no coincidence: it is the result of continuous work in technological innovation, pilot training, and strict regulatory compliance. Being pioneers in this field means that BENIU has paved the way in a still-emerging sector, proving that aerial application with drones can be safe, effective, and environmentally responsible.
BENIU not only performs treatments but also documents results to make them available to farmers, technicians, and public administrations. This commitment to transparency and technical dissemination further reflects our dedication to innovation and responsible communication.
The accumulated experience and institutional recognition allow us to provide services with full technical and legal guarantees, positioning BENIU as a national benchmark in precision agriculture. Learn more about our real-world projects on our website.
Experience Across Three Spanish Regions
One of our key differentiators is our presence in various regions of Spain, working with diverse crops and pests, adapting each treatment to local needs:
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Valencia: We carried out treatments against Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly), one of the most damaging pests for citrus. Spintor Cebo was applied, a product authorized for aerial use that effectively controls the pest while reducing the overall amount of pesticide required. These interventions have been crucial in protecting one of Valencia’s most representative agricultural sectors.
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Extremadura: In rice fields, we treated Leptocorisa oratorius (rice bug) using Sadritina, a drone-compatible product highly effective for protecting this crop. Drone precision allowed large areas to be treated uniformly, optimizing product use and minimizing environmental risks.
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Galicia: In forest stands, treatments targeted Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth), a pest that causes severe damage to woodland areas. Here, we used Bacillus thuringiensis, a natural bioinsecticide. This treatment not only proved effective but also aligned with sustainable forest ecosystem management principles.
To reinforce the technical authority of these projects, it is advisable to include maps of treated areas, images of drones in action, or comparative tables with crop, pest, and product data. Such visual resources enhance understanding and provide transparency to the work carried out.
Best Practices for Drone-Based Crop Protection
The success of drone-based crop protection does not rely solely on flight technology. To ensure effectiveness, safety, and sustainability, it is crucial to follow best practices that cover every stage—from product selection to monitoring interventions.
Selecting the right product
Not all crop protection products are compatible with drone spraying. It is essential to choose products authorized for aerial application by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) and formulated for ULV (Ultra Low Volume) systems.
Concentrated formulations designed for fine atomization allow drones to achieve uniform applications with lower spray volumes. Substances with high density or those prone to clogging nozzles must be avoided, as they may compromise both treatment effectiveness and equipment safety.
Proper product selection ensures not only pest control but also reduced residues and optimized efficiency for each flight.
Flight planning and calibration
Precise flight planning is key for aerial applications. Before each treatment, it is essential to define:
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Flight altitude: usually between 2–4 meters above the crop, depending on plant type and product used.
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Drone speed: adjusted to guarantee uniform coverage; excessive speed may leave untreated zones.
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Dosage: correct nozzle and flow calibration ensures the exact amount of product is applied without waste or toxicity risks.
Additional measures to reduce drift include flying in controlled wind conditions, respecting safety distances from watercourses and beehives, and using nozzles that minimize excessive atomization. These practices protect the environment while ensuring compliance with sustainability standards required by law.
Safety and Sustainability
Drone-based treatments must be carried out under clear safety protocols that protect both operators and third parties:
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Establishing security perimeters during flights.
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Equipping operators with appropriate PPE (gloves, masks, protective eyewear).
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Marking treated areas to avoid accidental exposure risks.
From an environmental standpoint, localized drone applications significantly reduce impact: less water is used, total pesticide volumes are lower, and there is no crop trampling or soil compaction caused by heavy machinery. This makes drones a tool aligned with the principles of sustainable and precision agriculture.
Monitoring and Traceability
Every drone treatment can be documented in detail thanks to digital mapping and data logging tools:
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Drones record flight maps, treated areas, and application volumes.
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This information integrates with farm management systems, ensuring traceability and demonstrating compliance with regulations to authorities.
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Historical data also supports long-term monitoring, helping technicians assess treatment effectiveness and plan future interventions more precisely.
In short, by applying these best practices, drones become more than just spraying tools: they transform into integrated crop management systems, adding technical, economic, and environmental value to farms.
BENIU’s Competitive Advantages over Traditional Methods
The introduction of agricultural drones for crop protection has brought a qualitative leap in crop management. Compared to traditional methods such as ground sprayers, backpack sprayers, airplanes, or helicopters, BENIU’s technology offers clear competitive advantages that meet today’s demands for efficiency, sustainability, and safety.
Saving time and inputs
One of the factors most valued by farmers and technicians is resource efficiency. Drones can perform a treatment in minutes over areas that would take tractors hours. Digital route planning ensures no overlaps or untreated gaps, maximizing effectiveness.
In addition, drone spraying uses ultra-low-volume (ULV) techniques, requiring less water and product to achieve equal or greater effectiveness. This means that each intervention reduces costs in pesticides, labor, and water consumption, optimizing farm profitability.
Coverage of difficult areas
The limitations of ground machinery are well known: it cannot enter steep slopes, waterlogged fields, young crops, or narrow planting frames. Our drones fly over crops without touching the soil, allowing treatments in inaccessible areas without damaging plants or compacting the land.
This capability also extends to forested areas or fragmented agricultural mosaics, where heavy machinery is not viable. With drones, we ensure uniform and precise coverage in conditions that previously required giving up treatments or using less effective methods.
Sustainability and environmental impact reduction
Society and European regulations increasingly demand sustainable agriculture. In this context, drone-based crop protection provides major environmental benefits, making BENIU’s technology a solution that safeguards not only crops but also ecosystems:
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Reduced drift: targeted spraying and controlled flight altitude prevent product from reaching unintended areas.
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Protection of beneficial fauna: reduced dispersion minimizes impact on pollinators and other beneficial organisms.
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Lower carbon footprint: drones replace tractors or aircraft powered by fossil fuels, cutting emissions.
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Rational product use: applying only the necessary dose supports efficient pesticide management, in line with the European Green Deal and the “Farm to Fork” strategy.
BENIU and Precision Agriculture
Our real advantage lies in integrating drones within a precision agriculture approach. This means combining automated flights, digital mapping, and georeferenced data so that every treatment is documented and optimized. Farmers not only receive an application service but also valuable information for managing their farms in the medium and long term.
By 2025, drone-based crop protection treatments are no longer a promise for the future—they are a regulated, safe, and increasingly widespread reality in Spanish agriculture. In this context, we have consolidated our position as pioneers, being among the first companies to obtain official authorization to operate and demonstrating, with successful case studies across different regions, that drones are an effective, sustainable, and competitive alternative to traditional methods.
The combination of regulatory compliance, practical experience, and commitment to technological innovation positions BENIU as a benchmark for farmers, cooperatives, and public administrations seeking modern solutions to the challenges of crop protection.
If you would like to learn more about how drones can help optimize your treatments, reduce costs, and improve the sustainability of your farm, contact our team to request personalized information or a tailored quote.
