The evolution of agriculture changed the way humans survived and established communities. The earliest evidence of intentional cultivation of edible grains was found along the shores of the Sea of Galilee in modern-day Israel and dates back more than 12,000 years. Agricultural practices continued to develop worldwide, allowing humans to transition from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle to creating settlements that could support growing family units. This led to increases in populations, which then resulted in the gradual modernization of agricultural practices.

Initially, people used simple hand tools for what were essentially small gardens. Necessity led to the development of larger tools like plows as the demand for crop size grew. With the introduction of domesticated animals, farmers began using them to assist in the fields. Improvements in irrigation methods soon made farming a marker of advanced civilizations. By the mid-17th century, European scholars began studying the science behind agriculture to increase productivity. This, combined with the approaching Industrial Revolution, led to what has become modern farming practices.

Today, the world still relies on many agricultural discoveries from the 17th and 18th centuries. The tools used have become more advanced, but for the most part, the concept of a simple ox-pulled plow is not that far off from what is pulled behind a tractor. What has steadily grown, however, is the academic study of agriculture. In the United States alone, nearly 800 post-secondary schools offer a wide range of agricultural programs. These programs are leading the charge to bring agriculture into the future by developing new technologies for the 21st century, especially those utilizing drones and automation.

Mississippi State University (MSU) has been dedicated to agricultural developments since its founding in 1878. In June 2023, after years of pushing the boundaries in agricultural technology, MSU officially opened the Agricultural Autonomy Institute (AAI). With this new program, MSU hopes to become the “Silicon Valley of Agricultural Autonomy.” As drones are now being viewed as the next step forward for the agricultural industry, MSU’s AAI is receiving funding and partnerships from government and private organizations alike.

MSU is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) UAS Center of Excellence and UAS Safety Research Facility. When the FAA enacted new regulatory allowances for agricultural drones in 2023, the AAI was granted a special waiver for research involving drones to spray agricultural chemicals. With this waiver and a broad range of research goals, AAI reached out to Texas-based agricultural drone manufacturer Hylio. Speaking on the choice to partner with Hylio, AAI’s Associate Director Madison Dixon said, “In the last decade, MSU has become known as a leader in autonomous systems and drone research and is the only university designated as the FAA’s UAS Center of Excellence and UAS Safety Research Facility. Hylio, meanwhile, has launched novel technologies and received advanced operations approvals from the FAA. Our combined knowledge of aviation, agricultural applications, and FAA regulatory requirements make for a mutually beneficial partnership.”

Hylio was founded by University of Texas classmates Arthur Erickson, Mike Oda, Nicholas Nawratil, and Nikhil Dixit in 2015. Initially, Hylio focused on providing a range of drone services. But by 2017, after recognizing the potential within the agricultural drone niche, Hylio began exclusively developing agricultural drone hardware and software. With the FAA’s new regulations, Hylio’s line of drones can treat up to 150 acres of farmland in an hour, marking the first time a drone can match the application rates of a tractor. Hylio is also the only company designated by the FAA as capable of using agricultural drones in a swarm.

With the partnership, AAI, Hylio, and the FAA hope to continue pushing the boundaries of drone technology. “Hylio and MSU share common goals in advancing drone technology for agricultural applications,” Erickson said. “With our products and MSU’s programs, we can work together to pioneer best practices and teaching methods that will one day hopefully put this technology in the hands of a lot of American farmers.” As agriculture continues to evolve, the synergy between academic institutions, innovative companies, and regulatory bodies is crucial in shaping the future of the industry. Mississippi State University’s Agricultural Autonomy Institute and Hylio’s cutting-edge drone technology represent a significant leap forward in agricultural practices, promising to enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

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