Use and management of drones with applications to the banking sector in El Salvador

Abstract

The Agribusiness Management Office of the Banco Hipotecario of El Salvador, focus on providing financing for agricultural activities. In 2015, the management determined that for field visits is necessary to modernize the methodologies. Therefore, in 2016, the AgroSIG project was launched, which aims to georeference productive areas to improve the monitoring and control of investments. With the use of drones, Banco Hipotecario became a pioneer in the use of GIS technology. This will allow the development of future risk scenarios and added value by delivering a farm map to clients. Along the same lines, a mobile application has been developed with the geolocation of clients. This has added a number of features to help customers plan, execute and report on their daily tasks. By 2021, approximately 13,300 hectares had been mapped nationwide. Sugarcane and coffee represent 49% and 33% of the mapped area respectively. The classification by productive area has allowed the creation of niches within the same clients with the purpose of providing specific training or involving them in projects that benefit them. Other institutions have also used drones to assess infrastructure conditions, risk management, crop development, among others. The use of drones in the agricultural and financial sectors implies, among other benefits, an economic advance for the owners of productive systems.