ZenaTech received IAA approval for agricultural drone services in Ireland

ZenaTech's Drone as a Service subsidiary has received a Specific Operations Risk Assessment approval from the Irish Aviation Authority. The document was issued under European Union Aviation Safety Agency standards for the company's EMEA headquarters near Dublin.

The authorization allows for large-scale application of fertilizers, lime, biostimulants, and other non-agrochemical products on Irish agricultural land using drones. According to ZenaTech CEO Shaun Passley, the European regulatory framework provides a repeatable template for entering new markets without having to restart the process from scratch.

The need for precise fertilizer application is driven by high costs and environmental monitoring. In 2026, the Irish Environmental Protection Agency reported a 10% year-on-year increase in nitrogen concentration in rivers, linking it to excessive fertilizer runoff. The use of drones makes it possible to operate on complex terrain, reduces soil compaction, runoff risk, labor costs, and environmental impact.

The SORA authorization provides the opportunity to perform complex autonomous flights without requiring customers to independently navigate aviation regulations, pilot certification, equipment purchase, and maintenance.