Name: DroneMex
Address: MX

Question 1

What is an NDVI map and what exactly does a grower see on it?

Accepted Answer

NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) is calculated by comparing the red and near-infrared light the crop reflects, and it is delivered as a color map of your block where higher- and lower-vigor zones stand out at a glance. What you see are relative vigor and stress differences within the same field — not a diagnosis: the map tells you where to look, not what the plant has. The cause is confirmed on the ground, which is why NDVI works as a targeted scouting tool for your agronomy team.

Question 2

What problems does an NDVI flight surface before they are visible to the eye?

Accepted Answer

The most common finds are water stress, irrigation failures (a closed valve, a plugged lateral, emitters without pressure), low-vigor zones caused by soil or compaction, and early pest or disease foci that have not yet changed visible leaf color. The shape of the pattern already guides the check: a geometric outline following irrigation lines points to an irrigation problem, while an irregular patch that grows between flights is usually biotic. In every case the conclusion comes from inspecting the flagged spot in the field.

Question 3

What is the difference between a multispectral and an RGB camera, and which do I need?

Accepted Answer

An RGB camera captures only what the eye sees: good for orthomosaics, plant counts, area measurement, and damage that is already visible. A multispectral camera adds bands such as near-infrared and red edge, which are what make indices like NDVI or NDRE possible and reveal loss of vigor before color changes. If you want early warning, specify a multispectral camera in the mission; if you only need inventory or visual evidence, RGB is enough and costs less. DroneMex pilots deliver imagery and data — they do not perform spraying.

Question 4

Can a drone count plants and assess crop stand or emergence?

Accepted Answer

Yes. High-resolution imagery supports plant or tree counts per block, emergence assessment, and a gap map, which are among the most requested deliverables in agave (plot inventory and survival), in avocado and citrus orchards (tree inventory by sector), and in vegetables (emergence uniformity by block). The typical deliverable is the count per block plus a map locating the gaps, useful as backup for replanting or as an inventory report for a third party.

Question 5

How is an agricultural flight priced and paid when it is measured in hectares?

Accepted Answer

Each pilot quotes based on the area in hectares, the camera type (RGB or multispectral), the resolution, and the deliverable you ask for, so it pays to state all of that when posting the mission. The platform minimum mission budget is $1,000 MXN and DroneMex charges a 10% commission. Payment is held in Stripe escrow from the moment you accept a proposal and is released to the pilot when you approve the deliverable, or automatically 72 hours after delivery if you have not opened a dispute.

Question 6

How often should a grower fly during the season and how does it fit an agronomy workflow?

Accepted Answer

Most of NDVI's value comes from repeating the flight over the same block with similar parameters, because the change between dates is what drives decisions more than any single map; the cadence is set with your agronomist based on crop and phenological stage, and tightens during critical stages such as establishment, flowering, and fill. The normal workflow is: fly, get the per-block map, let your agronomist prioritize the walk-through in the flagged zones, and decide on irrigation or crop protection. The drone does not replace ground scouting — it directs it, so field hours go where something is actually happening.

Drone NDVI mapping for precision agriculture