Russia Uses AI and Drones to Monitor Farmland for Weeds

A recent field test in Kaluga region shows how artificial intelligence is transforming Russian agriculture—from planting decisions to pest control.

Russia has launched a pilot program using artificial intelligence and drone technology to monitor agricultural fields for weed infestation. The demonstration took place on June 10, 2025, and was overseen by the Kaluga branch of the Russian Agricultural Center.

The test involved surveying potato, cereal grain, sunflower, and corn crops using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The AI-powered system detected and analyzed weed presence, producing a report that measured contamination levels by crop type.

Russia’s agricultural sector is among the world’s fastest adopters of smart farming technologies. For example, at Rusagro-Balakovo’s fields, the digital platform 'Field History' uses AI to recommend which hybrids to plant, track pest activity, plan equipment paths, and evaluate seasonal outcomes to improve future yields.

Meanwhile, the country’s new national agri-digitalization project promotes drone use across farming operations. Engineers from the Technovation Consortium recently developed a modular hexacopter called 'Lesnik,' designed for agricultural and forestry monitoring.