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Medellín, Colombia, September 2025 – In a significant step towards the modernization of the agricultural and livestock sector, peasant establishments in Colombia are increasingly leaning towards the incorporation of drones as allies to improve production.

According to data from Civil Aeronautics, the entity that regulates and controls the use of these tools in the country, it is expected that the use of these machines will reach 23,330 units by 2028, a significant jump if one takes into account that by 2023 they were used only about 2,000 devices in the country.

And at Expo Agrofuturo this reality is confirmed, visitors find agricultural drones that carry out tasks such as counting and monitoring crops, measuring chlorophyll and pesticide applications, improving productivity and efficiency.

Sextante Drones, a company born in the Coffee Region and led by Gabriel López, presents in this edition of the fair technological innovation services, among which the use of drones for mapping and fumigation stands out, as well as advanced software solutions for the data collection and analysis, for more precise and efficient agricultural management.

"All our software is developed and led by us, which allows us to be immersed in the value chain of the family business", said López, who commented that the developments achieved by his company are the result of 65 years of family experience in the sector. agricultural. “That gives us a deep understanding of the needs of the field, from traditional to more technical operations”. 

Among the solutions presented at the fair is data management software, a key tool to centralize information, facilitating decision making. These developments are also supported by IoT (internet of things) to monitor the activities of workers on farms and ensure traceability in processes.

The company also focuses on building strategic alliances with companies that work in the technology area (Invesa, Prometálicos, Agrilab and Nitrofer are some of them), acting as integrators of the "largest companies in the sector in the country." as López evaluated, to create a technological ecosystem that enhances farm management and data-based decision making. At Expo Agrofuturo, we seek to show our consolidation as a company and the strength of our alliances", he commented.

Sextante Drones' vision is clear: technology in agriculture empowers the farmer with "decision-making power", allowing precise management that avoids assumptions and translates into greater productivity, less financial and environmental impact. 

The future is here

Drone Innovation is another company born in Colombia and currently led by Mexican capital, which has focused on the import of drones for the agricultural sector.

Andrés Gonzaga, commercial representative for Colombia, referred to the devices they bring to the country such as fumigation tools and crop inspection drones. We represent the DJI brand and, at Expo Agrofuturo, basically, we have brought technology that we launched last July, with much safer and much more efficient drones”, he explained. 

When talking about the advantages of the new devices, Gonzaga referred to a topography like Antioquia, with many elevations. “We are in an area where crops or land usually have many slopes, with many obstacles, pastures with many trees, circumstances that make the drone's flight difficult. This new technology can make flights safer, avoiding mishaps and making them more efficient. In steep terrain or with complicated topography, we know that these drones will respond well, he commented, who explained that the devices sold by his firm are used, mainly, for fumigation and spraying of granulated products such as fertilizers, seed planting, and application. of herbicides.

The businessman believes that in Colombia the use of this technology is booming and spoke about the return on investment of these devices, which can cost between 40 and 120 million pesos. “Well, the amortization depends a lot on the work given to the drone, the area and other variables, but it can average between 12 and 18 months”. 

Regarding the acceptance of these new technologies, Gonzaga was direct: “The Colombian farmer is currently very willing to incorporate this type of equipment. Nowadays, the development of Colombian agriculture is increasingly higher, in this area and in Colombia, because we are already seeing the results that this equipment gives and the use of new technologies. Regarding the piloting of this type of devices, yes There are more doubts, but we give them very good training and we are providing them with a channel to facilitate their access to carry out their certification as a pilot before the Aerocívil.

For more information visit https://expoagrofuturo.com/. Remember that the Fair is part of Econexia, Corferias' digital community of connections and businesses, within its agribusiness and food ecosystem.