Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will open free training courses this autumn covering artificial intelligence, drones, robotics and precision agriculture, the department announced.

The programme forms part of the ministry's digitalisation strategy for the agri-food sector and follows the 'Agricultura Drones' initiative launched in 2023, which trained more than 5,000 farmers and technicians in drone operation for crop monitoring and treatment.

The new courses will run from October to December and combine online modules with practical sessions at agricultural technology centres in several regions, including Aragón, Castilla y León and Andalucía.

Training content will cover the use of AI tools for yield prediction and pest detection, drone-based crop surveillance, autonomous machinery and the application of variable-rate irrigation and fertilisation techniques.

The ministry said the courses aim to help farmers cut input costs and improve competitiveness, particularly among small and medium-sized holdings that have lagged in adopting digital technologies.

Registration opens in September through the ministry's website, with priority places reserved for farmers under 40 and women working in the agricultural sector.