Precision Agriculture Technology Offers New Solutions For Bay Of Plenty Horticulture Sector

The Bay of Plenty horticulture sector is adopting precision agriculture technology to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact and manage crops on challenging terrain. Kiwifruit orchards, avocado plantations and other high value horticultural operations in the region often sit on steep slopes or soft ground, where tractors and traditional ground based spray equipment can struggle to provide consistent coverage.

Conventional equipment can be limited by access, turning space and soil conditions. This can result in uneven spray patterns, higher chemical use and unwanted drift. Precision aerial application using agricultural drones provides an alternative that can reach difficult areas, follow accurate flight paths and apply products only where they are needed.

Agrodrone, a Tauranga based operator, provides licensed agricultural spraying services across Bay of Plenty and Waikato. The company works with horticultural growers, pastoral farmers, councils and conservation organisations to deliver precision agricultural spraying services that are designed for properties where traditional machinery is less effective or less safe to operate.

The technology uses calibrated spray systems mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles. Operators can adjust application rates and droplet size to suit specific products and crops. The downward airflow from the drone rotors helps push spray into dense canopies, improving penetration and coverage. Agrodrone’s aerial crop spraying services are used for crop protection, fertiliser application, fungicide treatment, weed control and pasture seeding.

For the Bay of Plenty kiwifruit industry, drone application can be particularly useful during short spray windows when weather conditions are suitable but orchard floors are too wet or soft for heavy machinery. Using drones reduces soil compaction that can occur with repeated tractor passes and helps growers maintain access rows, vines and support structures in better condition over time.

Agrodrone holds CAA Part 102 unmanned aircraft operator certification and RPAS pilot certification with chemical rating. The company carries public liability insurance and aerial application liability cover, meeting regulatory and industry requirements for commercial agricultural aviation operations. Service coverage extends throughout Bay of Plenty, including Te Puke, Katikati, Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki, as well as Waikato areas such as Hamilton, Cambridge and surrounding districts. Pricing options include hourly rates for smaller or complex jobs and per hectare rates for larger agricultural applications.

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