Farm Drones UK's spraying system is a good example of how technology can adapt to farm needs. Although pesticide spraying by drone remains prohibited in the UK, the system can be used to apply other liquid agents with controlled droplet sizes between 60 and 400 microns. One of its key applications is in the horticultural sector, where it is used to apply and remove shading agents on greenhouse roofs.
"Greenhouse shading helps growers regulate internal temperatures during the hot summer months," Alex Sliusarenko, Managing Director of Farm Drones UK, mentions. "And come autumn, we switch to cleaning operations to remove those coatings and let in as much winter light as possible. Drone technology enables the application and removal of coatings to greenhouse roofs without the need for human presence on the structure, making it safer and much more efficient."
Based in Berkshire, but serving growers nationwide, Farm Drones UK is assisting British growers manage their crops, bringing advanced aerial technology into the fields and greenhouses of the UK's horticultural and arable sectors. The Maidenhead-based company was co-founded by Alex, who is a Ukrainian-born vegetable grower and specializes in the use of drone systems to help growers work more efficiently, sustainably, and safely.
© Farm Drones UK
Partnerships and progress
The company established partnerships with leading distributors such as Fargro, a trusted UK distributor of Lumiforte.
"Lumiforte provides us with expert product support," says Alex. "Combined with trusted partnership, we're able to deliver a safe, high-quality service that's grounded in the latest agricultural research and innovation."
Using drones for greenhouse shading offers clear advantages in terms of safety and efficiency. "We can apply coatings to greenhouse roofs without anyone having to climb up there. It's safer for workers and gets the job done faster."
Farm Drones UK is currently in the midst of its summer shading operations for greenhouses, but is already looking ahead. "Once autumn arrives, we'll shift into greenhouse cleaning mode. It's a good example of how drone services can provide year-round support to growers, without the limitations of manual labour or traditional machinery."
Working on challenging terrains
© Farm Drones UKFarm Drones UK's core service offering centres on flexibility, speed, and precision.
Their drones can operate in conditions where conventional machinery fails—on steep slopes, in soft spring soils, or among vulnerable crops.
"Our drone becomes an indispensable tool when the ground is too wet for tractors," Alex says. "And it won't trample crops or compact the soil like heavy machinery does."
Equipped with modular systems for both dry spreading and liquid spraying, the drones can cover up to 100 hectares a day.
The dry spreading unit, with its 50-litre tank, handles particles ranging from 1 to 8 mm and is primarily used to sow cover crops into standing crops—an approach that offers several agronomic benefits. "Early sowing means more vegetative mass, better nitrogen accumulation, and stronger root development. That all leads to improved soil structure and health."
Closing the technology gap
"Drone technology had already become a mainstay on Eastern European farms. But here in the UK, it was barely starting. I saw a real opportunity to bridge that gap."
Since its founding, Farm Drones UK has focused on providing precision drone services tailored to the needs of British growers. The company works with clients across the UK, from greenhouse vegetable and soft fruit producers to open-field farms cultivating wheat, barley, and rapeseed. As awareness grows about the potential of drone-based systems, Alex sees a shift in attitudes among British farmers.
"There's a clear trend emerging," he explains. "More and more UK farmers are turning to drones as a way to farm smarter—not harder. With rising input costs and growing environmental concerns, this technology helps reduce waste, protect crops, and improve efficiency across the board."
For more information:
Farm Drones UK
Alex Sliusarenko, Co-Founder and MD
alex@farmdronesuk.com
www.farmdronesuk.com