This is the "fertilizer truck" of the future
Have you ever thought that drones could be used in agriculture in Jæren for fertilizing, spraying and transporting fence posts? Join us at Undheim in Time municipality!
Facts
Established: 2010 - changed to drone company in 2024
Member of Nordic Edge since: 2025
What: Agritech
Where: Undheim, Time municipality, Norway
Skårland Agri Drone will offer drone services for agriculture, primarily for fertilization and liming. The company is also actively working with the authorities to make drone spraying permitted. The aim is to use drones where traditional methods are difficult, such as on steep or inaccessible terrain, or on areas that are otherwise fallow. The company is in a start-up/establishment phase. Approvals from the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority are available, and the company has the certificates and licenses needed to operate this type of drone via its partner Romvesen.
- The market is large and the applications are many. In Rogaland, there are approximately 477,000 acres* of grazing land and 559,000 acres of fully cultivated land. Using a drone allows you to fertilize earlier in the spring, for example. Today's agricultural machinery is large and heavy, which means that the soil is packed when driving on wet ground. With the use of a drone, you don't destroy the soil in early spring," explains Ingolf Skårland of Skårland Agri Drone.
In short, Skårland believes that drones will revolutionize our agriculture.
- Drones can reduce emissions, waste, costs and physical risk for the farmer.
- Drones provide better precision in fertilizing, spraying and sowing.
- Drones provide better documentation of the status of cultivated land, outlying land and grazing animals.
- Drones provide better utilization of available land.
Climate-friendly and efficient
- Our ambition is to make Norwegian agriculture more climate-friendly and efficient. Our business model is that the farmer hires our expertise. We own the equipment, have the certificates in order and provide up-to-date knowledge," explains Skårland.
Skårland Agri Drone and Nordic Edge have been working together for almost a year. The background is an interview on Jærradioen where Ingolf listens to Gunnar Crawford talk about increased food production and developments in Norwegian agriculture and the opportunities offered by the Nordic Edge network. Among other things, Gunnar talks about the use of new technology - and Ingolf gets in touch.
- We're now working together to develop and test drone-based fertilization, spraying, sowing and liming. The primary goal is to strengthen food production in Rogaland.
More sustainable
- With the help of new technology, we are making it possible to utilize hard-to-reach areas that would otherwise be left fallow. This provides better grazing opportunities and contributes to more sustainable agriculture," says Skårland.
Speed up the drones Skårland Agri Drone is working closely with Nordic Edge to get the drone company off the ground.
- The technology exists, but Norway is far behind when it comes to utilizing the opportunities we have. Nordic Edge is contributing on several levels, for example with the design of applications. We are also involved in the establishment of a drone council with the State Administrator in Rogaland. At the same time, it's important to have several thoughts in your head at the same time. We must both explore the agricultural market for drones and work to ensure that the regulations for drone use are developed," explains Gunnar Crawford, head of the Agritech Cluster at Nordic Edge.
Nordic Edge helps Skårland Agri Drone with visibility, networking, structure and innovation expertise. Nordic Edge also connects Skårland to relevant actors and authorities, and strengthens the possibility of scaling and further financing.
*Covering around 68,000 football pitches!
Become a member
Join the agritech cluster and gain access to a valuable network, expertise, and events. As a member of the cluster, you will have a dedicated partner focused on your company’s success.
