Agricultural drone financing
and farm funding in Canada
Agricultural equipment financing works for drones too: spread the cost of an Agras or Mavic 3M with a loan or lease, and use an itemized supplier quote for cost-share applications.
Ways to pay for an agricultural drone
| Option | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment loan | A lender such as Farm Credit Canada or your bank finances the purchase; the drone is usually the security | Farms that want to own the drone |
| Equipment lease | Monthly payments with an option to buy at the end | Custom operators who want to keep cash for batteries and a trailer |
| Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) | A federal program, delivered through your lender, that backs loans for farm equipment | Beginning farmers and farms with limited security |
| Cost-share program | A provincial or federal program pays part of an approved purchase | Farms adopting precision or soil-health practices |
| Staged payments | A deposit, then payments before delivery, agreed in writing for each order | Buyers timing payment around harvest |
| Certified pre-owned | A used unit we certify, much cheaper than new | Buyers who want to spend less; ask for the current list |
Terms, rates and eligibility are set by the lender or program, not by us. We give you the quote and documents they ask for.
Cost-share programs need an itemized quote
Cost-share programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership take applications only at certain times of year, and some have covered precision agriculture equipment. Most ask for a dated supplier quote with each item on its own line. Ask us early and tell us the program's rules: we can separate the drone from the spreading system, the spray system, batteries and training if the program needs it. Whether a purchase qualifies is decided by the program.
What to budget for besides the drone
- Batteries. Usually three to start; one of the largest lines on the quote.
- Charging. A C10000 or C12000 charger needs the right supply; fields without power need a generator. See the field kit guide.
- Spreading or extra spray hardware, if you will seed or spread.
- Training and certification. Agras training comes with a purchase; you still need the Transport Canada Advanced pilot certificate and, for pesticides, your province's aerial licence. See drone licence training.
- Insurance, transport and a trailer or truck setup.
Time the purchase to the season
Most farms decide over the winter, often after seeing drones at a farm show, and want the drone flying before the first job: frost seeding in March and April, or fungicide in June and July. Cost-share intakes, lender approval and certification all take time, so start early:
- November to January. Demo, quote, and check program intakes.
- January to March. Approval, financing and the Advanced pilot certificate.
- March to May. Delivery, setup, calibration and training.
If your first job is frost seeding in March, start each step a month or two earlier.
Universities and government buyers working to a March 31 fiscal year-end should read institutional purchasing.
Not ready to buy? Hire us to fly the job this season, or see why we don't rent drones and what works instead.
Frequently asked questions
Can I finance an agricultural drone in Canada?
Yes. Farm equipment lenders such as Farm Credit Canada, banks and leasing companies finance drones like other farm equipment. Terms depend on the lender and your farm.
Are there grants for agricultural drones in Ontario?
Some cost-share programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership have covered precision agriculture equipment. Intakes open and close, so check current programs and send us the quote requirements early.
Can you prepare a quote for my funding application?
Yes. We prepare a dated, itemized quote and can list the drone, spreading and spray systems, batteries and training separately if the program needs it.
Can I pay in stages?
Yes. A deposit, then staged payments before delivery, agreed in writing for each order.
Should I lease or buy?
Buying suits farms that will fly every season; leasing can suit custom operators who want cash for batteries and a trailer. Ask your accountant how each is treated for tax. Starting out? Read how to start a drone spraying business.
What else should I budget for besides the drone?
Batteries, charging or a generator, any spreading hardware, training and certification, insurance, and transport. The field kit guide lists the hardware.
Ask about financing and quotes
Tell us what you want to buy and which lender or program you are applying to.
Tell us what you want to finance
Your name and email are enough to start. A person from our Toronto team replies.