Russia Pushes New Drone Applications for Agriculture and Environmental Monitoring

Tula Region is showcasing projects that use drones to transform farming, environmental protection, and even rural healthcare.

In Russia, the Tula Region unveiled innovative projects for deploying unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in agriculture, ecology, and natural resource management at the international forum 'Unmanned Systems: Technologies of the Future' held in Skolkovo. Regional participation could mark a major step forward in the country’s high-tech agricultural sector and environmental monitoring, according to Tula Press.

Tula’s drones are already used to monitor crops, spray fields, and assess forest conditions. These technologies help reduce fertilizer and pesticide costs while quickly identifying problems over large areas.

The forum is also discussing new ideas to boost agricultural productivity and environmental oversight. One promising initiative is using drones to deliver medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas, which could dramatically speed up aid delivery in rural communities and improve healthcare quality.

The event brought together experts from 20 Russian regions as well as Turkey, the UAE, and India. Participants are tackling issues like drone certification, workforce training, and the growth of the 'sky economy'—a new sector combining technology and infrastructure for the commercial use of drones.

Tula Region aims to rank among the leaders of Russia’s national 'dronification' index, an initiative proposed by President Vladimir Putin.

Bringing advanced drone technology into agriculture, environmental management, and healthcare could become a key driver of growth for both the region and the country. Drone use is not just about more efficient farming—it’s also about saving lives when every minute counts.