Precision agriculture
Agricultural drones in Switzerland: models, uses and prices
A professional agricultural drone such as the DJI Agras T50 sprays up to 40 kg of plant protection product or spreads up to 50 kg of fertiliser per flight, at a starting price observed at around EUR 10,900 excl. VAT in France. In Switzerland, DJI dominates the civil drone market (around 70% worldwide, nearly 30% in the agricultural segment alone), and several dealers such as Agrarpiloten GmbH (Lyssach, BE) or Trenderia GmbH (Seeland) offer equipment, training and sometimes a turnkey service.
What is an agricultural drone used for?
The professional agricultural drone replaces or complements the mounted sprayer and the classic spreader in three main uses: spraying plant protection products, spreading fertiliser or seed, and mapping crops through multispectral imaging.
For mapping, devices such as the DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral capture vegetation health (NDVI indices) and make it possible to target interventions rather than treating an entire field uniformly.
Spraying and spreading drones are aimed mainly at sloped vineyards, large crops that are hard to reach with a tractor, and farms seeking to reduce soil compaction.
Models available on the market
DJI remains the reference manufacturer with the Agras series. The T50 offers a 40-litre tank for spraying (up to 40 kg) and a 50 kg hopper for spreading; the more compact T25 targets small plots or terraced vineyards.
XAG, the world's number two in the sector, offers the P100 Pro (around USD 30,000 according to the manufacturer) and the P150, but no Swiss dealer has been identified to date for this brand. EAVision markets the J100, a binocular-vision device (around USD 20,000) designed for complex terrain.
- DJI Agras T50 — 40 L tank / 50 kg hopper, market reference
- DJI Agras T25 — compact format for small plots and terraced vineyards
- XAG P100 Pro / P150 — credible alternative, not yet distributed in Switzerland
- EAVision J100 — binocular vision for complex terrain
- DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral — crop mapping and vegetation monitoring
Dealers and service providers in Switzerland
Agrarpiloten GmbH (Lyssach, BE) is an official DJI Agriculture dealer and also offers a spraying or spreading service for farmers who do not wish to invest in their own device.
Trenderia GmbH (Seeland) imports DJI drones, Dronesolutions Schweiz GmbH distributes and supports commissioning, and Optimum-System offers the Agras T30 and T50 on quote with technical support.
- Agrarpiloten GmbH — Lyssach (BE), DJI Agriculture dealer, sales and service
- Trenderia GmbH — Seeland, DJI importer
- Dronesolutions Schweiz GmbH — sales and commissioning
- Optimum-System — DJI Agras T30 / T50 on quote
How much does an agricultural drone cost?
As a guide, a DJI Agras T50 is offered from around EUR 10,900 excl. VAT in France; the Swiss price depends on the dealer, the options (batteries, charging station, training) and the exchange rate. It is advisable to request an up-to-date quote from a Swiss dealer rather than relying on a foreign price.
The XAG P100 Pro is quoted at around USD 30,000 by the manufacturer, but the lack of an identified Swiss dealer currently makes after-sales service and spare parts harder to access for this model in Switzerland.
Savings claimed by manufacturers
Manufacturers of agricultural drones claim substantial savings compared with traditional methods: up to 90% less water and 30 to 40% less plant protection product for the same treatment result, according to their own data.
These figures, provided by the manufacturers, should be verified case by case depending on the type of crop, the terrain and the device's settings; they are not a guarantee of yield.
Buy a drone or use a service provider?
Buying suits farms that regularly treat several hectares and have a trained pilot registered with FOCA. It involves an initial investment, maintenance of the device and renewal of authorisations.
Using a Swiss service provider (such as Agrarpiloten GmbH) allows the technology to be tested without investment, particularly for an isolated plot or a one-off season. SinoDrone connects you with both options depending on your project.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of an agricultural drone such as the DJI Agras T50?
In France, the DJI Agras T50 is offered from around EUR 10,900 excl. VAT according to the manufacturer. In Switzerland, the price depends on the dealer, the accessories and the training included; a quote from a Swiss dealer such as Agrarpiloten GmbH or Optimum-System gives a precise amount.
What payload can an agricultural spraying drone carry?
The DJI Agras T50 sprays up to 40 kg of liquid product per flight and spreads up to 50 kg in solid mode, according to the manufacturer's data. The more compact T25 offers a lower capacity, suited to small plots.
Is authorisation required to use an agricultural drone in Switzerland?
Yes. The operator must be registered on UAS.gate and, for spraying or spreading, a dual authorisation is required: one from FOCA and the Agroscope approval of the model used. Details of the procedures are presented on our regulation page.
What is the difference between DJI and XAG for agriculture?
DJI dominates the global civil drone market (around 70%) and offers the Agras range, widely distributed in Switzerland. XAG, the world's second-largest manufacturer with the P100 Pro and P150 models, currently has no identified dealer in Switzerland, which limits local after-sales service.
Can you rent an agricultural drone or use a service?
Yes, several Swiss operators such as Agrarpiloten GmbH offer a full service (pilot, drone, product) without the farm needing to buy its own device. This option suits one-off use or a test phase.
Are the claimed water and product savings guaranteed?
No. The figures of 90% water and 30 to 40% product saved come from the manufacturers and vary considerably depending on the crop, terrain and settings. They give an order of magnitude, not a guarantee of results.