Hof der dingen - Agricultural drone from Inagro

Inagro was founded sixty years ago – in 1956 – as a research and education centre for Industrial Cultivation in Rumbeke – Beitem. At the time, cultivators of the then-popular crops such as flax and tobacco in the region were struggling. This research centre offered crucial support to help them survive. 

From the very beginning, the centre focused on improving cultivation techniques, comparing crop varieties and introducing new crops. Many farmers had little or no formal education, and there was a strong need for knowledge, awareness and guidance. Their approach of Inagro was very hands-on: the staff gave lectures in parish halls across West Flanders to share their knowledge and expertise. 

Since its founding, Inagro has maintained the same mission: enhancing the profitability of agricultural enterprises. Traditionally, they have done so through large-scale and practicebased trials designed to develop better cultivation methods. 

Crucial to this is their use of drones in their research and daily operations. 

The drone in front of you was the very first one ever to be purchased by the centre. 

Why drones, you ask? Aerial observation of fields and farmland offers a completely different perspective than what can be seen from the ground. Drone footage can reveal certain patterns in soil and detect areas that are vulnerable to erosion or affected by wind. These droses have quickly become an indispensable part of Inagro’s daily operations.