In the extensive, data-centric realm of modern-day agriculture, where satellite images and GIS mapping can detect each sown seed and each growing plant, drones have also become great champions of precision agriculture. These drones are not only producing high-resolution orthomosaics for assessing crop health. Drones for pesticide application come with many benefits, such as increased efficiency & precision and reduced operators’ exposure to pesticides, thereby also reducing waste and enhancing yields
As the use of drones in pesticide application in agriculture expands throughout Asia and the rest of the world, it is essential to guarantee the secure and regulated use of pesticides. This article is based on the CropLife Asia report, Recommendations for Building a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Pesticide Application by Drone (CropLife Asia, 2020). This piece explores the foundational guidelines for SOPs that balance innovation with risk management.
Whether you’re a geospatial analyst optimizing farm layouts or a farmer using drone tech, these insights offer a timeless blueprint for responsible deployment.
A Risk-Based Framework: The Core of Effective SOPs
Unregulated drone spraying could mean disaster, from the operator’s exposure to environmental contamination. The report brought forward a risk-based approach, categorizing threats across vehicle, flight operations, human health, ecology and crop integrity. Below is the distilled overview, adapted from the document’s risk matrix:
| Risk Category | Guidance | Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Risk | Civil Aviation | Permits for UAVs meeting defined specifications |
| Flight Operations | Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Pesticide Guidance | – Pilot training and licensing scheme -Set safe boundary conditions (height, velocity, etc.) |
| Risk to Operator & Bystander | – Standard Operational Practice (SOP) – Label Instructions – Stewardship – Pesticide emergencies and emergency response | – Set boundary conditions for drone use, ensuring safety – Label instructions for spray applications -PPE requirements for mixing and loading |
| Risk to the Environment | – Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – Label Instructions – Stewardship – Pesticide emergencies and emergency response | – Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – Label Instructions – Stewardship – Clean-up and container disposal |
| Risk to Crops | – Avoid phytotoxic damage – Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – Label instructions – Stewardship | – Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – Pesticide Guidance |
Setting Up A Regulatory Framework for Drone Applications
Three core areas manage the risks of drone pesticide spraying:
- Local civil aviation laws regulate vehicle specifications
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) ensures safety during operations by enforcing piloting requirements and safe practices.
- Permission for spray operations is based on product approvals that may reference existing spray registrations and established regulatory procedures.
These guidelines address the second and third tiers of regulations for effective drone application. By incorporating geospatial data such as wind vector maps from drone flights, operators can preempt risks, turning SOPs into dynamic tools.
Building Your SOP: Do’s and Don’ts from Preparation to Post-Spray
At the heart of CropLife recommendations is a practical SOP framework covering preparation, during application and post-application phases. Tailored for Asian contexts but adaptable globally, it emphasizes collaboration with manufacturers and locals. We have reformatted key points into actionable checklists for easy reference.
1. Preparing for Spray: Set the Stage Safely
Before rotors spin, compliance is non-negotiable. Verify operator licensing for both drone piloting and pesticide handling, per local laws:
- Compliance: Ensure drone operators are licensed and trained for both operation and pesticide safety. Review local laws and regulations on drone applications.
- Check/Calibrate the Drone: Choose an appropriate nozzle for droplet size, spray pressure, and pattern; consider using anti-drift nozzles. Test for leaks in the spray system using water for the first 5 minutes. Verify the stick model and battery power.
- Mixing and Loading: Reduce exposure by not eating or drinking during the process and avoiding hand stirring. Adhere to CPP label recommendations, follow the correct mixing order, and filter liquid before loading. Assess product compatibility, use adjuvants to reduce evaporation and drift, and limit tank mixing to two products if possible.
- Mixing and Loading: Monitor weather (wind <3m/s, temp <35°C, humidity >50%). Follow label instructions and avoid spraying during honeybee activity, adhering to the product label for toxic pesticides.
2. During Application: Precision in Motion
Once airborne, strict rules. The report stresses operator positioning downwind, at least 5m from the drone, approaching only after the props halt.
- Operator Protection: Read product label and wear recommended PPE. Stay downwind and in backlight to avoid spray drift. Maintain a 5-meter distance from the drone during spraying. Approach drones only after the ground propellers stop completely.
- Protect Your Surroundings: Inform nearby people, farmers, and beekeepers about treatments. Watch for nearby poles, cables, and farmers to prevent collisions.
- Operating The Drone: Fly the drone at 1.5m-2.5m above the target crop. Maintain flying speed of 4-6m/s.
This is where RTK GPS comes in handy, ensuring centimeter-level accuracy for targeted sprays that geospatial models predict.
3. After Spray: Wrap-Up and Recovery
Don’t cut corners on cleanup – it’s where residues linger. Prioritize a thorough cleanup to prevent residue.
- Exit and Re-entry: Evacuate quickly; follow re-entry sign guidelines.
- Clean & Check Application Equipment: Clean and flush drone tanks with water. Dilute waste for safe disposal or targeted re-spray.
- Safe Disposal of Pesticides: Triple rinse waste containers. Conform to local disposal laws. Securely store any CPP products away from unauthorized people, animals or food.
- Operator Protection: Take a shower and dress in clean clothes. Follow cleaning instructions for washing PPE. Dispose of disposable PPE according to local regulations.
Licensing, Registration & Learning from Japan
Enforcement is vital for SOPs. The report is anchored on four key pillars for standard operation, which are: approved drones, licensed pilots, registered pesticides and label adherence. Borrowing from Japan’s Aviation Bureau model, certifications should be model-specific with accredited training and routine refreshers.
Residue studies for drone-specific formulations may be exempt if conditions like critical GAPs are met, but efficacy and crop safety data are mandatory. CropLife recommends using Japan’s updated guidance as a reference for regulators to establish regulations for the emerging use of similar drone applications. Below is the CropLife data matrix:
| Type of data requirement | Label extension of registered formula from conventional application to UAV application | New formulation for UAV application |
| Bio-efficacy data | Exempted if pest/disease claim and critical GAP (Crop, Dose, PHI) is within the range of existing registration. If not, full data requirement | Full data requirement by UAV application |
| Crop residue data | Exempted if the critical GAP is within the range of existing registration. If not, full data requirement | Exempted if the critical GAP is within the range of existing registration |
| Crop safety data | Full data requirement by UAV application | Full data requirement by UAV application |
Japan’s 30+ years of data on radio-controlled helicopters informs J-MAFF’s 2019 updates, providing a science-backed template for equating UAV and conventional efficacy, setting a benchmark for emerging markets.
The Horizon: Drones as the Future of Resilient Farming
Drones aren’t just tools; they’re catalysts for a greener revolution. In the long term, the industry envisions that the widespread adoption of agricultural drones will significantly diminish the practice of conventional
spraying. This will further minimize existing human exposure risks during pesticide application while improving efficiency and productivity on the farm.
The industry will continue to further research and innovation to enhance the competence and responsible use of drones. As we at Geomatics Central map this trajectory, one truth endures: SOPs aren’t red tape; they are a backbone to safe operations. Download the full CropLife Asia report here for appendices, full text and visuals.
Sources: CropLife Asia. (2020). Recommendations for Building a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Pesticide Application by Drone. All insights are adapted and cited directly from the document.
