Brussels, September 6, 2025 – The Europe Today: Rural development organisation Rurant has launched an ambitious project, Land-Lab, to test the use of drones for sowing seeds from the air, offering a practical solution for fields that are too wet for heavy machinery.
Unlike small-scale trials, the initiative is being conducted on larger plots with the participation of several farmers from the region. “Today, an impressive 10 hectares were sown – an important step toward the future of sustainable farming,” Rurant stated.
The project aims to demonstrate how technology can make agriculture more sustainable and climate-resilient. One of the key benefits is in maize farming, where nutrient leaching in autumn poses a significant challenge. Cover crops are typically sown after harvest to retain nitrogen and protect the soil, but wet conditions or late-season constraints often prevent the use of heavy equipment.
By using drones to sow cover crops directly into fields while maize is still growing, farmers can give the plants a head start in the final warm weeks of autumn. “The result is a field covered through autumn and winter, better nitrogen absorption, improved soil structure, enhanced water management, reduced erosion, and a boost in biodiversity,” the organisation explained.
For farmers, the method offers reduced dependence on weather conditions, practical land management, and healthier, more productive soil.
Rurant highlights the project as a step forward in integrating cutting-edge technology into agriculture, addressing both environmental challenges and the need for resilient farming systems.
