NDVI, Multispectral & Mapping Drones
NDVI and multispectral mapping is the layer that turns drone hardware into agronomy. A well-specified imaging programme delivers RTK-accurate orthomosaics, prescription shapefiles for variable-rate application and repeatable biomass indices season-over-season.
What a well-specified programme includes
Fixed-wing platforms cover 200–800 ha per flight for boundary, drainage and volumetric surveys — critical for irrigation and land-development projects.
5–10-band multispectral cameras (red-edge, NIR) drive true biomass and stress indices, not just visible-light greenness.
Prescriptions export as shapefile / GeoTIFF for variable-rate pivots, fertigation, ground booms and drone spreaders.
Same flight lines, same GSD, same calibration reference — season-over-season comparability that phone-camera scouting cannot match.
Typical specification
| Platforms | Fixed-wing + multirotor + hybrid VTOL |
|---|---|
| Coverage | 200 – 800 ha per fixed-wing flight |
| Sensor stack | RGB, 5 / 10-band multispectral, thermal, LiDAR |
| Accuracy | RTK / PPK, 2 – 5 cm GSD typical |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a fixed-wing drone or is a multirotor enough?
Fixed-wing and VTOL platforms win on flights above ~150 ha where flight time and endurance matter. Multirotors win on small blocks, orchards and low-altitude high-detail passes. Most commercial operators run both, or a hybrid VTOL.
What's the difference between NDVI and multispectral?
NDVI is a single index computed from red and near-infrared bands. A 5- or 10-band multispectral camera captures red-edge and additional NIR bands so you can compute NDVI, NDRE, GNDVI and true biomass and chlorophyll indices — a much stronger agronomic signal.
How does mapping feed variable-rate irrigation?
Prescription shapefiles export directly into pivot controllers, drip-irrigation zone controllers and fertigation systems. Where the buyer is bundling drones with irrigation, we specify the data handshake up front.
Other agricultural drone use cases
Specify a commercial vineyard and orchard spraying drone programme — 30–70 L payload class, RTK autonomy, terrain following, spot-treatment and reduced chemical volume. Vendor-neutral RFQ to vetted global manufacturers.
Specify a commercial seeding drone programme for cover crops, over-seeding and granular top-dressing. Vendor-neutral RFQ across DJI, XAG, Hylio and specialist spreading payloads.
Thermal-camera drone programmes for orchards, vineyards and irrigated crops. Detect irrigation stress, frost risk, pest hotspots and equipment leaks. Vendor-neutral RFQ.
Specify a multi-drone fleet, docking / hangar stations, battery-swap logistics and BVLOS-ready autonomy. Vendor-neutral RFQ across DJI Dock, Skydio Dock, autonomous fleet software and ground stations.
In-country drone pilot training, spray-drone chemical-handling certification and regulatory documentation for EASA, FAA Part 137, ANAC, DGCA, CAAC and African / MENA authorities. Bundled into the drone RFQ.
Specify the ndvi, multispectral & mapping programme.
Share destination country, scale and job list. A SeedMatchGroup advisor returns a line-item comparable shortlist across vetted global drone manufacturers.
Sourced through vetted breeding partners worldwide.