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Valerii Iakovenko will Chair the Agricultural Committee of Pennsylvania Drone Association as a part on “Focus on Farming” Initiative

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The Pennsylvania Drone Association, a pioneer in promoting drone technology since its inception in 2022, proudly announces the establishment of its Agricultural Committee. This committee, dedicated to advancing drone applications within the agricultural sector, represents a significant milestone in the association's ongoing efforts to foster innovation and collaboration within Pennsylvania's drone community.

The newly formed Agricultural Committee will serve as the association's dedicated arm, focusing on harnessing drone technology to address key challenges and opportunities within the agrarian sector. Through strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts, the committee aims to leverage the latest technological innovations to enhance agricultural productivity, minimize environmental impact, and promote sustainable practices among farmers and industry stakeholders.

Valerii Iakovenko, co-founder and managing partner of DroneUA, a leading Ukrainian company specializing in industrial integration unmanned technologies and robotics, will Chair the newly established Committee.

He is highly regarded for his expertise in drone technology both domestically and internationally, including significant contributions to the United Nations FAO program. Drone UA has long been a partner of the Department of State agency USAID and its agricultural project in Ukraine. Recently, the company has expanded its operations to the US market, inaugurating its first office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under the name of Futurology LLC. In early 2023, DroneUA introduced its Agtech startup, FarmFleet, a specialized SaaS platform focusing on spraying drones and service-related activities in the agriculture sector after successful completion of a pre-seed funding round and $550,000 investment and a valuation of $3.7 million.

This expansion signifies a significant milestone in the integration of advanced drone technology into the American agricultural sector.

"Through the integration of cutting-edge technological advancements, robotized drone solutions can enhance agricultural profitability, minimize environmental impact, and streamline business practices for farmers, resulting in increased yields," stated Valerii Iakovenko. "Ukraine leads the world in integrating drones into agriculture. In 2021, it surpassed all European countries in drone deployment and achieved record speed, outpacing Brazil and Indonesia.”

The data supports Iakovenko. With 1,500 drone sprayers treating 3,1 million hectares, drones brought an extra 486,700 tons of harvest, saved 17.5 million liters of fuel and cut water usage by 620,000 tons. In 2021-2023, drone spraying reduced Ukraine's carbon emissions by 43,400 tons. “This success is just the beginning of our efforts for environmental sustainability. I'm honored to bring our unparalleled experience to the table in the USA market,” Iakovenko continued.

Furthermore, robotization offers a multifaceted solution to agricultural challenges by addressing labor and capital investment issues, and bolstering economic viability within agribusiness. Moreover, the adoption of drones in agriculture is catalyzing job creation and drawing younger generations to rural areas, as modern technologies provide promising career pathways and demand moderate initial investments for aspiring entrepreneurs.

"The establishment of the Agricultural Committee marks an important step forward in our collective efforts to harness the potential of drone technology for the benefit of Pennsylvania's agricultural community," remarked Dr. John G. Duesler, Jr., President of the Pennsylvania Drone Association. "We are thrilled to have the new global perspective. With the international best practices, expertise and leadership at the helm of this initiative, we look forward to the positive impact the committee will have on advancing agricultural innovation and sustainability."

The formation of the PA Drone Association Agricultural Committee aligns with the strategic goals delineated in Pennsylvania's recently released 10-Year Statewide Economic Development Strategy, endorsed by Governor Shapiro early in 2024. This strategy underscores the crucial contributions of agriculture and robotics to the state's economic advancement.

The Pennsylvania Drone Association invites all interested stakeholders to join in supporting the Agricultural Committee's mission and contributing to the advancement of drone technology within Pennsylvania's agricultural sector.

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