On May 26, the Regional Government of Galicia (Xunta de Galicia) took a decisive step toward modernizing the primary sector by announcing its support for the use of drones in the fight against pests and diseases in Galician crops. This initiative, led by the Department of Rural Affairs, acknowledges the value of technology as a strategic tool to advance toward a more efficient, professional, and sustainable agriculture.

At BENIU, as a company specialized in agricultural, forestry, and environmental drone services, we celebrate this direction. For over four years, we’ve been applying phytosanitary treatments using drones in a rigorous, effective, and authorized manner—both in Galicia and other regions such as Extremadura (pest control in rice fields) and the Valencian Community (fruit fly).

Technology applied to Galician farmland

Drones enable targeted phytosanitary applications, adapted to the topography and specific conditions of each plot. This results in:

• Reduced product use, thanks to precise distribution.

• Lower environmental impact and reduced risk for operators.

• Greater operational efficiency, even in hard-to-reach areas.

In addition, drones’ ability to capture multispectral or thermal data improves agronomic decision-making, helps detect pest outbreaks early, and optimizes treatment schedules.

Institutional commitment and public-private collaboration

During the meeting held in Santiago between representatives of Rural Affairs and the BENIU team, it was agreed to explore ways of collaboration to develop pilot programs, specialized training, and define technical protocols that support the safe and effective adoption of this technology.

We believe that direct involvement from the government is key to establishing a clear, agile regulatory framework adapted to the new tools already transforming the sector.