Supporting Small Farmers through Applied Drone Technology

Through the Connected programme, the Product Design Centre (PDC) at North West Regional College has carried out targeted applied research into the use of drone technology specifically for small and medium-scale farmers. The focus has been on identifying practical, affordable drone applications that deliver real value to farms operating with limited time, labour, and capital.

Connected funding enabled the PDC to assess the use of drones for tasks such as field and grassland monitoring, thermal imaging to support livestock welfare and farm building assessment, boundary and drainage inspection, and rapid visual surveys to inform day-to-day farm decisions. This work has demonstrated how drones can reduce the need for manual inspection, improve efficiency, and provide farmers with timely, actionable information without the cost of traditional surveying methods.

The outcomes of this research have strengthened the PDC’s capacity to support Agri-focused SMEs and individual farmers by providing evidence-based guidance on drone selection, use cases, and regulatory considerations. It has also informed curriculum development at NWRC, ensuring that future learners develop relevant digital and Agri-technology skills aligned to the needs of modern small-scale farming. Connected has therefore played a key role in enabling practical innovation and skills development within the Agri sector.