Crop-spraying drones are slowly taking off in SA â and thatâs good news for smaller farms Feb 05, 2021, 05:35 PM facebook This certification allows highly specialised drones to spray crops with fertilisers, insecticides, and ripening agents. And while the start-up costs are high – with drones retailing for over R220,000 – the technology promises to be cost-effective over the long run. It’s especially beneficial for smaller farms which often lack the funds to deploy a light aircraft. For more articles, go to www.BusinessInsider.co.za. The use of unmanned aerial aircrafts – in this case, drones – as cost-effective crop dusters is expanding throughout South Africa, after a slow initial start.