Drones could revolutionize agricultural spraying in Switzerland

Using drones to apply chemicals to the vines: the innovative solution proposed by Valais-based start-up Fly & Film could make the job of wine-makers much easier.

Fly & Film, based in the canton of Valais, has presented Europe’s first wine grape drone. Unlike a helicopter, this device is capable of hovering 50 centimeters above the vines, which greatly simplifies the job of grape growers and vineyard keepers. Aerial spraying can be done in a more precise manner and the risks of spray drift and noise are significantly reduced.

Powered by six engines and 2-meters large, the drone can fly over all types of terrain, including steep hillsides, and can cover up to 100 hectares in one hour. The system could also be used on orchards, parks and gardens, and paves the way for innovative methods in the treatment of grape diseases. Through its flexibility, the drone can be deployed on request and used to apply a variety of products, which isn’t the case with the helicopter.

This new method is already in use in the United States. In Switzerland, the first trials on the ground are conclusive. Fly & Film hopes to propose this service to winegrowers for the 2017 harvest. The Valais-based company is also opening a flight school in order to train the future pilots of its agricultural drones.