Agricultural drone spraying and crop mapping
Starting costs about $39,100 in the United States and 6,930,000 NGN in Nigeria. After 12 months, this business can bring in about $2,570 net per month in the United States and 602,000 NGN in Nigeria. The starting money comes back in about 20 months, with 35 hours of work per week.
Mundyo estimates, data as of 2026-11-02.
See the numbers for my countryFree, no account, in the currency of 247 countries.
The numbers
| Country | To start | Net per month (month 12) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $39,100 | $2,570 |
| Nigeria | 6,930,000 NGN | 602,000 NGN |
| United Kingdom | £26,700 | £1,830 |
| Kenya | 1,740,000 KES | 87,200 KES |
| India | 869,000 INR | 63,600 INR |
Amounts adjusted to each country's price and income levels.
The problem
Farms struggle to treat wet, steep or narrow plots and spot diseased or poorly irrigated areas too late, wasting inputs and yield.
The solution
A drone service that maps fields with vegetation indices and applies treatments or fertiliser precisely, with a report after every flight.
Your customers
Medium-sized vegetable, vineyard, orchard and arable farms, farming cooperatives and agricultural contractors.
How you make money
Per-hectare fee: roughly €25 to €45 per hectare sprayed and €8 to €15 per hectare mapped.
Competition
Agricultural contractors with conventional sprayers, a few specialised drone operators, farmers buying their own drones, equipped cooperatives.
Who has an edge
A technician or farmer already licensed to fly and handle crop-protection products, who knows local growers and can talk yield.
The risks
Strict drone and spraying regulations, weather grounding flights, strong seasonality, costly crashes and liability if product drifts.
The first 3 steps
- Check which pilot and spraying licences are required locally
- Offer three free mapping demonstrations to nearby farmers
- Price buying or leasing an agricultural drone, including insurance
How the numbers are calculated
Example in a high-income eurozone country, at month 12: revenue €4,500 − costs €2,700 = €1,800 net per month. Revenue: 130 ha sprayed × €30 + 60 ha mapped × €10. Costs: drone batteries and upkeep, insurance, fuel, travel, social contributions. For other countries, Mundyo adjusts the starting budget to the price level (World Bank) and the income to prices and customers' purchasing power, then converts at the day's exchange rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start: Farm drone services?
About $39,100 (United States), 6,930,000 NGN (Nigeria), £26,700 (United Kingdom), depending on the country. Mundyo calculates the amount for 247 countries.
How much can you earn per month?
After 12 months, about $2,570 (United States), 602,000 NGN (Nigeria), £1,830 (United Kingdom) net per month, after costs.
How long until I get my starting money back?
About 20 months, with 35 hours of work per week.
What are the risks?
Strict drone and spraying regulations, weather grounding flights, strong seasonality, costly crashes and liability if product drifts.
Where do I start?
1. Check which pilot and spraying licences are required locally 2. Offer three free mapping demonstrations to nearby farmers 3. Price buying or leasing an agricultural drone, including insurance
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