As we approach the end of 2025, the agriculture industry has witnessed a significant shift in the adoption of drone technology, transforming from an experimental tool to a practical necessity in everyday farming. Future Farming has closely followed these developments throughout the year, covering a range of innovations from large-scale spray drones to new business models and service applications. The resonance of our coverage with readers worldwide has been a testament to the growing importance of drone technology in agriculture.
Looking back at the past year, we reflect on the stories that captured the most attention. In the coming days, we will publish a series of top 5 overviews, highlighting our best-read articles of 2025. We start with drone technology, an area where innovation, scale, and ambition continue to accelerate.
1. **Robot Swarm Boosts Big Yield in Brazil**
In a pioneering move, a robotic fleet raised soybean yields by 10 bags per hectare, an 18% increase, on a large farm in Goiás, Brazil. The system, monitored in real-time and optimized by the new AI platform “Alice,” also cut herbicide use by up to 85% over 1,500 hectares. This development underscores the potential of autonomous technology to enhance productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
2. **New Navigation Solution Promises Reliable Positioning for Drones, Even Without GPS**
Australian company Advanced Navigation and MBDA UK have teamed up to develop a robust navigation system designed to provide accurate absolute positioning for various airborne platforms, even in the absence of GPS signals. When mounted on a drone, the system uses a camera to capture and analyze the environment below, identifying landmarks and features. These images are then compared with a pre-existing Earth surface database through a technique called map matching, allowing the system to determine its precise location. This innovation is crucial for ensuring the reliability of drone operations in areas where GPS signals may be weak or unavailable.
3. **Agtech Stands or Falls with Good Support**
Precision farming company Aurea Imaging began by collecting orchard data with drones and creating task maps per plot based on vigor maps. However, advancements in technology have enabled much more precise and practical applications. The completion of the first Sprayhawk production aircraft, which is undergoing ground testing ahead of delivery to an agricultural partner in the US Midwest, exemplifies the strides being made in drone technology. This development highlights the importance of robust support systems in the successful implementation of agtech solutions.
4. **Autonomous Ag Tech on the Radar: 61% of Aussie Grain Growers Want to Learn More**
A national survey of Australian grain growers revealed strong interest in autonomous farm machinery, but cost and understanding remain major barriers to adoption. This finding underscores the need for increased education and potentially more affordable solutions to facilitate the widespread adoption of autonomous technology in agriculture. As Tjaart Du Plessis noted, “With a drone, it is easy to change your droplet size and minimize drift,” highlighting the precision and efficiency that drones can bring to farming practices.
5. **Agri Spray Drones Partners with EAVision**
Agri Spray Drones, a distributor of agricultural spray drone technology in North America, has announced a strategic partnership with EAVision, a manufacturer specializing in advanced drone technology. This collaboration aims to support US crop growers with tools to enhance efficiency and precision in open-field farming. The partnership introduces the EAVision J100 spray drone to the US market, further expanding the range of innovative solutions available to farmers.
As we look ahead to 2026, the continued evolution of drone technology promises to bring even more transformative changes to the agriculture industry. The stories highlighted here represent just a few of the many innovations that are reshaping farming practices and driving the industry toward a more sustainable and efficient future. Stay tuned for more insights and updates from Future Farming as we continue to explore the latest developments in agricultural technology.