Learning to Fly: Russian Farmers Train to Operate Agricultural Drones
In Russia’s Far East, a new training and production center is helping farmers master drone technology — a step that could transform agricultural efficiency and reshape the country’s digital farming future.
A New Learning Hub
In the Khabarovsk Territory, a new training and production complex is being established to teach farmers how to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in agriculture. “One of our goals is to overcome farmers’ skepticism about new technology. We’ll show them that drones aren’t toys — they’re powerful tools for the modern farmer,” said Konstantin Mogilny, head of the regional agricultural engineering center.
So far, UAVs have not been widely adopted in the region’s agricultural sector, but that’s set to change. The nearby Amur region has already shared its successful experience with drone-assisted agriculture, and the training methodology was developed by the Far Eastern State Agrarian University in Blagoveshchensk.
The new center will be based on the solid technological foundation of the Khabarovsk College of Technosphere Safety and Industrial Technologies, which has been training drone operators since 2019. A four-party agreement has been signed between the Regional Agricultural Fund, the college, the university in Blagoveshchensk, and the agricultural cooperative Khabarovsk Agroprodukt. Starting in 2026, students will be able to train in applying drones to farming operations.
Interest in the program is strong — competition for admission is 3–4 applicants per seat, driven by the growing role of precision agriculture technologies, where drones are indispensable. “It’s no secret that treating 25 acres of farmland with UAVs takes about 15–20 minutes. That saves not just time and fuel but also substantial operating costs for any producer,” noted Maxim Lopatin, director of the Khabarovsk College of Technosphere Safety and Industrial Technologies.
Hands-On Learning
The new program emphasizes practical knowledge. Graduates will deeply understand drone systems — learning to assemble, solder, repair, and program them before mastering flight operations. Training is designed to replicate real-world agricultural work, helping farmers experience the full benefits of drone technology firsthand.
“The project has two sides,” explained Lopatin. “First, there’s a service component — students will help process farmland and repair UAVs for local farmers. Second, we’re eager to train any farmers interested in applying this technology on their own fields.”
Eventually, not just students but also employees of regional agricultural enterprises, farm owners, and even veterans returning from service will be able to join the program.
A New Stage for AgriTech
In the long term, the new training complex will become a regional hub for drone-based agriculture. It will train specialists capable of deploying digital technologies in the agro-industrial sector and providing a modern workforce for the region’s economy.
Plans are already underway to add an 'Agro-Drone Operator' specialization to Russia’s secondary vocational education standards, significantly expanding the number of graduates. Future curricula will include modules on data analytics, AI-based decision tools, and the creation of digital field twins.
By aligning drone education with retraining and professional development programs for farmers, the region is building an integrated pipeline between colleges, universities, and agribusiness. As the domestic drone industry scales and begins exporting, Russia’s educational modules on agri-digital technologies could themselves become an exportable product — in demand in developing countries that are racing to boost food production.
