Russian Farmer Builds a Smart Sea Buckthorn Farm Powered by Drones
A Kaliningrad entrepreneur’s high-tech approach makes crop management 18 times faster than manual labor.
In Russia’s Kaliningrad region, entrepreneur Andrey Plaksin is building the country’s first smart sea buckthorn farm, where nearly all key agricultural processes are automated. At the core of his project is the use of agricultural drones to care for the crops — a move that boosts efficiency and profitability while reducing reliance on manual labor.
Plaksin’s method stands out for its speed and precision. Tasks that typically take two workers six hours to complete — such as spraying the fields — can be done by a drone in just 40 minutes, increasing productivity by a factor of 18. The drones also eliminate human error, ensuring even and consistent treatment of every plant.
From Fertilizing to Pest Control
The farm currently spans nine hectares, with plans to expand by another three hectares by spring 2026. On such large areas, drone technology becomes not just convenient but essential for profitability.
Plaksin’s goal is full automation: by next year, drones will handle all major operations, from fertilization to plant protection. The approach represents a fundamental shift in farm management, blending traditional agriculture with cutting-edge automation to make berry farming faster, cleaner, and more sustainable.
