From the sprawling farms of western Bahia to small family plots, Brazilian agriculture is undergoing a rapid technological shift. Producers are increasingly adopting drone technology for crop protection, field mapping, and plant health monitoring, helping farmers address challenges such as labor shortages and unpredictable weather while improving both efficiency and sustainability.

Giacomo Leonardelli at the XAG booth during Brazil's Agrishow 2025

One professional accelerating this transformation is Giacomo Leonardelli, owner of a drone service company and XAG sub-dealer based in western Bahia. Rather than farming himself, Giacomo and his team offer advanced drone-based crop protection and management to large-scale grain and cotton producers across northern Brazil, servicing fields often stretching over tens of thousands of hectares.

Before adopting drones, Giacomo’s clients relied on tractors and fixed-wing aircraft for crop protection and fertilizer spreading. These methods often led to imprecise applications, soil compaction, and crop damage. “The main challenge with fixed wings was to make a precise application,” Giacomo explains. Tractors, meanwhile, can also spread disease by moving between fields.

Switching to the XAG P100 Pro agricultural drone marked a significant step forward. Its 50-liter liquid tank and RevoSpray system allow Giacomo’s team to provide highly accurate and efficient spraying without harming crops. In open fields, each drone covers up to 19 hectares per hour, maximizing productivity during narrow spraying windows.

What really sets the P100 Pro apart, Giacomo notes, is its fully autonomous operation managed via a smartphone app. Automation reduces labor needs, supplies consistent results, and allows for quick deployment, even at night when wind and temperature conditions are often ideal for applications. “We can spray at night, and this is a big advantage, especially during the peak season,” he adds.

For spreading seed or fertilizer, the P100 Pro’s 80-liter RevoCast system ensures broad, even distribution. This technology enables tasks like cover cropping and fertilization to happen precisely when needed, improving soil health while reducing reliance on heavy machinery.

Precise field mapping and consistent spraying are further enhanced by the drone’s advanced technology. Its RTK positioning system enables centimeter-level accuracy, minimizing waste and environmental impact. With onboard 4D imaging radar, the drone can autonomously adapt to changing terrain and obstacles in real time, allowing for uniform coverage even in complex field conditions. “With the RTK system we have with XAG, we can make a much more precise application,” Giacomo explains, emphasizing the difference this makes in both crop performance and input efficiency.

Reliability is another area where the XAG drones stand out for Giacomo and his clients. “Today, I have three pilots and helpers, and we have never crashed the XAG drone, not even once,” he shares. The sturdy design and high-quality components mean maintenance needs are minimal and unexpected downtime is rare, which is essential during time-critical windows like spraying before rain or harvest. This dependability allows Giacomo’s team to keep operations running smoothly and clients’ fields protected when it matters most.

Efficiency gains for clients have been substantial. Drone applications have reduced the time needed to treat a given area from six or seven days with tractors or planes to just four. Eliminating tractor wheel tracks also allows for more productive acreage. Giacomo estimates a 4 to 5 percent boost in yields, since crops can be planted more densely and with less loss. Reduced soil compaction and improved cover crop establishment further benefit long-term field health.

P150, launched globally in early 2025, offers higher payload capacity for greater efficiency

After the success of the P100 Pro, XAG’s P150 Agricultural Drone now brings higher capacity and greater efficiency to the field. Since its early 2025 launch, an increasing number of farmers are upgrading to the latest model, harnessing innovation to achieve tangible results.