1. Current situation of agriculture in Liaocheng and demand for drones
As a major agricultural city, Liaocheng is rich in arable land resources, has a vast planting area of food crops, and has considerable output of wheat, corn, and soybeans. In terms of cash crops, vegetables, fruits, cotton, etc. also occupy an important position in the agricultural economy. Traditional methods of plant protection operations, such as spraying pesticides with manual backpack sprayers, are inefficient and extremely labor-intensive when facing large areas of farmland. Moreover, it is difficult to ensure the uniformity of pesticide spraying by manual operation, and it is easy to cause missed sprays or repeated sprays, which affects the effectiveness of crop disease and pest control.
In recent years, with the development of agricultural scale and modernization, plant protection drones have become more and more widely used in agricultural production in Liaocheng. Taking the wheat "one spray and three prevention" projects carried out in Liaocheng High-tech Zone, Linqing City and other places as an example, the use of plant protection drones has greatly improved the efficiency of pesticide spraying and ensured the healthy growth of crops. Compared with traditional methods, plant protection drones can not only complete large-area operations in a short period of time, but also use precise variable spraying technology to adjust pesticide dosage in real time based on crop growth conditions and distribution of pests and diseases, reducing pesticide waste and environmental pollution.
2. Key points for selecting plant protection drones
Adaptation of load capacity and operation scale : Select a drone with appropriate load capacity based on farmland area and operating frequency. For small-scale farmland or scattered plots, drones with a load of 10-15KG, such as some entry-level products, have a medicine box volume of about 10-15 liters, which is enough to meet the needs, is relatively affordable, and is easy to operate. For large-scale farmland of hundreds or thousands of acres, large-load drones such as DJI T50 and XAG P100 are more suitable. Their maximum load capacity can reach 50-100 kilograms. They can carry a large amount of pesticides at one time, which can significantly reduce the number of round-trip pesticide dosing and improve operational efficiency.
Battery life considerations : Battery life is directly related to the operating range and overall efficiency of the drone. Generally, the battery life of plant protection drones powered by lithium batteries is about 20-40 minutes. If the working area is concentrated and small, a drone with normal endurance and multiple sets of backup batteries can meet the needs. However, for large and scattered farmland, it is recommended to choose a model with long battery life. For example, some drones use new battery technology or fuel power. The battery life can be extended to 1-2 hours, reducing the time loss of charging or oil changes midway.
Key factors of spraying system
Sprinkler type suitable for crops : The centrifugal nozzle can atomize pesticides into fine and uniform droplets, which is suitable for pest control and has good effects on general crops. For fruit trees, high-stem crops, etc., mist nozzles are more suitable. The mist droplets they spray are larger, the flow is large, and they can penetrate dense branches and leaves and reach all parts of the crops. For example, in places such as Liyuan in Guan County and orchards in Shen County, drones equipped with mist nozzles can better complete plant protection tasks.
Reasonable selection of spray width : The spray range of different models of drones ranges from 4 to 12 meters. When operating in large-area, regular farmland, choosing a drone with a larger spray width can significantly improve operating efficiency, such as in plain farmland in Gaotang County and Chiping District. However, for areas with irregular shapes, scattered fields or complex surrounding environments, drones need to be able to flexibly adjust the spray width to ensure precise operations and avoid pesticides from drifting into non-target areas.
Advantages of variable spray function : UAVs with variable spraying function can adjust the amount of pesticide spraying in real time based on crop growth information, pest and disease distribution data obtained by sensors, etc. For example, reduce the amount of spraying in areas where crops are growing vigorously and where pests and diseases are mild, and increase the amount of spraying in areas where pests and diseases are serious. Some high-end models of XAG, equipped with advanced multi-spectral sensors and intelligent algorithms, can achieve precise variable spraying, effectively saving pesticide costs and reducing negative impacts on the environment.
Intelligent obstacle avoidance and positioning system guarantee
Intelligent obstacle avoidance ensures safety : The farmland environment in Liaocheng is complex, and there may be obstacles such as telephone poles, trees, and irrigation facilities. Drones with intelligent obstacle avoidance functions, such as the obstacle avoidance sensors on the front, rear, left, right and bottom of some DJI models, can sense the surrounding environment in real time and automatically adjust their flight paths when encountering obstacles to avoid collision accidents and ensure the safety of the drone and operators.
High-precision positioning enables precise operations : RTK (carrier phase difference technology) centimeter-level positioning system is the core to ensure accurate drone operations. It allows the drone to fly accurately according to the preset route and altitude, and the error can be controlled within a few centimeters. In large-scale farmland operations in Liaocheng, drones equipped with RTK positioning systems can achieve precise pesticide spraying, avoid re-spraying and missed sprays, and improve the quality of operations.
Protection level is about durability : Plant protection drones operate outdoors and often face harsh environments such as rain, dust, pesticide corrosion, etc. Therefore, the protection level of the entire machine is very important. Drones with high protection levels, such as IP54 and above, can effectively prevent water and dust, resist pesticide erosion, extend the service life of the drone, and reduce maintenance costs. During the rainy summer season and periods when pesticides are frequently used, the advantages of drones with high protection levels are even more obvious.
3. Purchase channels for spraying drones
local dealer : There are many professional drone dealers in Liaocheng, such as Shandong Zhongyu Aviation Technology Development Co., Ltd., which not only independently develops and manufactures industrial drones, but also provides sales services. The advantage of these dealers is that they can see the drone on site and have a test flight experience, so they can intuitively understand the performance of the drone before purchasing. It can also provide timely pre-sales consultation and recommend suitable models based on farmers’ actual needs. After-sales service is also guaranteed. Some dealers provide on-site operation training to teach farmers how to correctly use and maintain drones. When the product fails, maintenance personnel can be quickly arranged to conduct repairs and reduce downtime. Users can check the address and contact information of specific dealers through the brand's official website or local business information platform.
Online e-commerce platform : E-commerce platforms such as JD.com, Taobao, and Pinduoduo bring together many brands and models of plant protection drones. The online platform has a wide range of products and transparent prices, making it easy for users to compare the parameters, prices and user reviews of different products. Some e-commerce platforms will also launch promotions and issue coupons from time to time, which can save users a certain amount of purchasing costs. However, when purchasing online, you must choose official flagship stores or reputable merchants, and carefully check the after-sales policies of the products to ensure that product quality and after-sales services are guaranteed. Before purchasing, you can consult customer service for detailed product information, warranty period, maintenance services and other issues.
Factory direct sales : Directly contact the drone manufacturer to purchase the drone to obtain the most direct product information. The manufacturer can usually provide targeted solutions based on the user’s special needs, such as special load requirements, customized spraying systems, etc. And purchasing directly from the manufacturer may have certain price advantages. However, factory direct sales may have shortcomings in the timeliness of after-sales service, especially in remote areas where the coverage of after-sales outlets is limited. Users can search the manufacturer's official website through the Internet, find the contact number or online consultation window, and communicate with the manufacturer about purchasing matters.
