Grassroots Coalition Forms to Advocate for Continued Use of Essential Ag Tech
July 16 2024 - 11:00AM
In response to proposed legislation aimed at banning drones
manufactured by Chinese companies, a coalition of agricultural
spray drone distributors is banding together to form a grassroots
industry group. This coalition, consisting of Agri Spray Drones,
Bestway Ag, Drone Nerds, HSE-UAV, Pegasus Robotics, and Rantizo
intends to represent, protect, and advocate for the interests of
the agricultural industry in the use of spray drone technology.
Legislative Concerns
Recent legislative proposals, like H.R 2864 which passed in the
House version of the NDAA, seek to ban drones manufactured by
Chinese companies due to security concerns. However, the proposals
currently being presented and discussed fail to consider other
methods to address security concerns while also avoiding the
significant impact such bans would have on the agricultural
industry.
The Vital Role of Spray Drones in
Agriculture
Spray drones are an indispensable part of modern agricultural
technology for several reasons:
1. Optionality in Aerial Application:
In an industry facing increasing demand for aerial applications
combined with a shortage of available plane and helicopter pilots,
drones provide a natural and efficient solution. According to
survey data collected by coalition members, in 2023 alone, 3.7
million acres were sprayed by drones across 41 states and over 50
types of crops, generating $78.5 million in rural communities.
2. Job Creation in Rural America:
According to Agri Spray Drones CEO Taylor Moreland, “Spray
drones create new job opportunities in rural areas where they
previously did not exist.” For a reasonable investment, individuals
can purchase a spray drone, start a custom application business,
and start creating revenue that not only supports their families
but also contributes to their local economy.
3. Support for Sustainable Agriculture:
Agricultural spray drone technology provides farmers with
additional options for employing precision farming techniques in
their operations, helping farmers to reduce crop input usage and
increase yield opportunities. By delivering crop protection
products precisely when and where they are needed, farmers can more
efficiently control weed, pest, and disease pressures.
Addressing Security Concerns
The industry group supports efforts to create cybersecurity
standards and appropriate regulations to protect vital data across
all drones, regardless of country of origin. By advocating for
these measures, the coalition aims to address security concerns
while still preserving the technological advancements and economic
benefits that spray drones provide to the agricultural sector. This
balanced approach enables continued innovation and operational
efficiency, ensuring that American farmers can maintain their
competitive edge globally.
Bryan Sanders, HSE-UAV President, says, “There has been no
factual evidence suggesting that data collected by agricultural
drones is being provided to the Chinese government. On the
contrary, companies like DJI have proactively (and voluntarily)
implemented geofence flight restrictions for restricted airspace,
demonstrating a commitment to security, not espionage.”
Furthermore, spray drones are not used for surveying or mapping
like imagery drones, and do not store any data about what product
is being applied. In addition, the economic risks associated with
this proposed ban could be significant. According to the USDA, in
2022, the U.S. exported $36.4 billion in agricultural goods to
China, far exceeding what it imported.
Formation of an Industry Group
Recognizing the need for a unified voice amidst a growing
legislative backlog, this diverse group (more accustomed to
competing for market share than collaborating on a unifying
initiative) reached the unanimous decision to formalize an industry
group and is actively moving through the organizational
process.
Once formally established, this industry group will seek to
advocate on behalf of U.S. farmers and applicators for continued
use of and access to industry-leading spray drone
technology.
For Mariah Scott, CEO of Rantizo, ”Success is ensuring that U.S.
farmers have access to ag tech solutions that allow them to remain
competitive on a global scale.”
---About the CoalitionThe
coalition consists of leading distributors in the agricultural
spray drone market, including Agri Spray Drones, Bestway Ag Drones,
Drone Nerds, HSE-UAV, Pegasus Robotics, and Rantizo. According to
estimates by Rantizo, together, they represent approximately 80% of
the ag spray drone market in the U.S., committed to advancing the
agricultural industry through innovations in spray drone
technology.
Jeremy Schneiderman
Drone Nerds
7867087807
jeremy@dronenerds.com