The European GNSS Agency (GSA) joined COPA-COGECA, the organisation that represents European farmers and agricultural cooperatives, at Agriculture and Space Day on September 5 in Brussels. It was a chance not just to discuss the benefits of space for agriculture, but also an opportunity to see the technology, from GNSS-guided tractors to drones.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), commonly known as drones, have the potential to develop a wide range of applications for the benefit of society. It is estimated that within the next 20 years the European drone sector could employ more than 100 000 people directly and have an economic impact exceeding EUR 10 billion per year.