A drone surveys a crop, the data are rapidly analyzed, and agricultural machinery can immediately take targeted action based on the results. The AGRIP project combines drones, multispectral cameras, artificial intelligence, and a 5G SA network to enable faster, more precise decision-making in agriculture. The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) has also been involved in developing and testing the technology.
In conventional precision agriculture, several hours or even days may pass between surveying a field and processing the resulting data. AGRIP reduces this delay to a minimum. “Data transmitted from the drone via 5G SA is immediately analyzed by AI and converted into an application instruction for agricultural machinery. This saves farmers time and input costs while significantly reducing the environmental footprint,” explains Radomíra Kršová, Technology Transfer Manager at CZU.
“The technologies were tested directly under real agricultural conditions. Drones capture RGB and multispectral images, which are used to create, for example, orthophotography maps and NDVI vegetation index maps. Testing also includes variable-rate application of fertilizers and crop protection products, autonomous drone flights, and real-time data transmission,” says Jan Beneš of JUMP-TECH, which is participating in the project in cooperation with T-Mobile.
The practical benefit lies in the ability to intervene only where necessary. The system can help detect crop stress, disease, weed infestation, or nutrient deficiencies. Farmers, therefore, do not need to treat an entire field, but only the affected area.
“The 5G SA network is a key component of the AGRIP platform, as it enables large volumes of data collected by drones to be uploaded to the edge cloud, where the data are analysed and then sent almost in real time to the AGRIP application for the agronomist to assess and decide whether intervention is needed,” adds Jakub Kopecký of T-Mobile, Director for Industry 4.0.
More precise use of data can lead to savings in fertilizers, pesticides, and water, faster problem detection, and fewer passes of machinery across fields, thereby reducing soil compaction. You can also use the technology to monitor less accessible areas of farmland.
CZU Tested the Technology Under Real-World Conditions
The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague participated in the project through its Center for Precision Agriculture. Its experts developed methodologies for collecting and interpreting agronomic data and tested the system directly in agricultural operations. The technology was tested, for example, at the AGRO Hrádok farm in Slovakia, where it was used to monitor large areas and subsequently support variable-rate applications.
Researchers also verified whether data obtained using modern sensors accurately reflected the actual condition of the crops. Among other things, they examined the relationships among multispectral data, nutritional stress, and crop yield potential.
AGRIP is primarily designed for large-scale arable farming. It can be used for crops such as wheat, barley, oilseed rape or maize to monitor crop condition and pest occurrence, as well as for pre-harvest mapping and yield prediction. Practical testing has, however, also highlighted some of the challenges associated with deploying these technologies. “Some AI functions, such as automatic detection of crop damage, are still under development. Working with the data also requires an experienced agronomist. In general, collecting data alone is not enough — correct interpretation and practical use are crucial,” concludes Radomíra Kršová.
The AGRIP platform also has potential applications beyond precision agriculture. The combination of drones, multispectral sensors, AI-based analysis, and data transmission via a 5G network can be used wherever there is a need to assess the condition of large areas quickly and accurately. The development team is therefore currently working to expand the platform to include additional use cases, such as monitoring wildlife movement and occurrence, early detection and reporting of forest fires, and general field safety applications, where the technology enables rapid monitoring of extensive, difficult-to-access areas. AGRIP is thus gradually evolving into a universal platform for smart landscape monitoring with a wide range of applications across different sectors.
The AGRIP precision agriculture platform is presented in a video filmed at CZU by a European Commission team.