SPADE
The use of drones in agriculture
SPADE focuses on technological and digital aspects of drones
SPADE is a project funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe funding program, which brings together 21 partners from 10 European countries. This collaborative effort between institutions, researchers and experts from all over Europe seeks to promote technological advances in the agricultural sector.
Launched in September 2022 and running until August 2026, its purpose is to harness the potential of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to develop to develop digital services that benefit the agricultural production, forestry and livestock sectors..
Through pilot projects in these areas, SPADE (Multi-purpoSe Physical-cyber Agri-forest Drones Ecosystem for governance and environmental observation) uses advanced technologies such as digital twins, digital services, and data analytics to drive the multi-purpose use of drones by placing them at the forefront of innovation.
Program | HORIZONTE EUROPE - Digitization of the agricultural sector |
Total budget | 5.816.687,50€ |
Duration | 2022-2026 |
Website |
Among the main objectives is to develop a multipurpose platform for drone and data management.
AnySolution leads the pilot project in Spain
SPADE includes three pilot projects and subsequent applications through an open call to optimize its components. AnySolution is leading the pilot in Spain, specifically in Mallorca, where drones are being used in potato, olive and citrus fields to monitor crops, supporting farmers in the early detection of pests and in the sustainable management of their farms.
The second pilot is being developed in southern Norway, focusing on forestry integration, and the third on the Greek island of Lesvos, where sheep farming will be promoted using drones for grazing and health monitoring.
The benefits of SPADE
The results obtained from the pilot programs will allow:
- Share learnings on the use of drones in agriculture. Specifically, regarding the detection of pests, diseases and invasive species.
- Develop cost-effective drones and sensors with diverse applications.
- Implement high precision irrigation and spraying.
- Soil characterization (analysis and variability).
- Create an open source and open access ecosystem for data collection and analysis, data sharing under European standards and protocols.
- Promote digitalization, innovation and the adoption of new technologies in agriculture.
First drones are already flying over olive, citrus and potato crops in the Majorcan countryside
Contract number: 101060778
