In central Ukraine's Cherkasy Oblast, Artur Nalbandyan, co-owner of STOV “Druzhba” farm, manages 2,700 hectares of corn, sunflower, soybean, winter rapeseed, barley and wheat across the region's forest-steppe landscape. With this area being known for light sandy soils, farming here presents unique challenges. The soils warm quickly, but retain little moisture, requiring careful attention to irrigation, moisture conservation, and cultivation practices.
Navigating these conditions has shaped Artur's approach to farming. He views agriculture as a combination of science and practice, believing there is no universal solution. Instead, a good approach is adapting to the unique conditions of each season. As Artur explains, “Every field, every season, and every year brings new challenges.”
Part of Artur’s approach to finding the right solution for each field is regularly testing different solutions to see what works best for his operation. In 2024, Artur tested 300 hectares of corn and soybeans with Ecorobotix’s ARA™ Ultra High Precision Sprayer using algorithms that were still in the development phase. The results were immediate and measurable. With ARA, he achieved 40–90% savings on herbicides and fertilizers, depending on weed pressure and crop type. He also recorded a 1–3% yield increase in corn, equivalent to 140–420 kg/ha.
“It is especially rewarding when, through knowledge, accurate analysis, and teamwork, we manage to unlock the potential of a field and achieve a better harvest,” says Artur.
What began as a test has since become an integral part of Artur’s broadacre farm. Two years later, ARA is used across his operation. By identifying weeds and treating only the targeted plants, ARA enables Artur to replace his broadcast spraying with a more precise approach to crop protection where he can respond to each field’s varying weed pressure.
“We see that this technology opens up a new approach to plant protection, where decisions are made with maximum precision and resources are used much more efficiently,” he says.
Across the farm, he estimates that ARA has reduced plant protection product use by an average of 70%, demonstrating that the same agronomic and economic advantages achieved in smaller fields can be delivered at scale in large broadacre operations.
With 2,700 hectares and multiple crop types, Artur needs a machine that helps him stay adaptable and respond to each challenge with precision. By significantly reducing the amount of product applied to each field, ARA helps limit the accumulation of plant protection products in the soil. This not only helps protect soil health but also gives Artur greater flexibility when planning future crop rotations, allowing him to move crops between fields with less concern about residual products affecting the next crop.
These benefits support Artur's goal of building a more resilient farm. Looking ahead, he is committed to aligning his practices as closely as possible with evolving European standards.
“Especially in light of the ban on many active substances in EU countries and the increasing requirements for environmental sustainability” he explains.
Ultimately, Artur's 300-hectare ARA trial in 2024 was more than an experiment, it was an investment. By testing the technology, he was able to find that ARA could help reduce inputs, maintain productivity, and support the flexibility needed to navigate changing agricultural regulations. As European sustainability requirements continue to evolve, ARA is helping Artur stay ahead of these changes while managing his hectares of broadacre crops more efficiently and sustainably.
