Who we are

Founded over 18 years ago by Pieter Schickerling, a licensed drone pilot, electrical engineer, and former agronomist, the company was born from a need: smarter, safer, more precise solutions for rural agriculture.

What started as spray contracting has evolved into Lumenoptics.co.za — a full-service imaging company combining drones, AI, product development, and automation tailored to South African farms.

We don’t just fly drones — we solve real-world problems in the paddock, every day.

Our Journey:

Pieter Schickerling spent 10 years in the field — working across agronomy, technical sales, and imaging machinery — before launching Lumenoptics.co.za. He saw firsthand the limitations of traditional spraying in South African farms. Inspired by DJI drone technology and backed by field trials that slashed chemical use by 42%, Lumenoptics.co.za became one of the early adopters of precision drone swarms, flight automation, and AI mapping in the country.

In just a few years, we’ve grown from a one-pilot team to a multi-state operation with dedicated engineering, agronomy, and pilot support — and a strong reputation across both family farms and large enterprises.

Our People:

We’re engineers, pilots, agronomists, and farmers — united by a hands-on ethos. Every flight we plan, every tank we mix, and every map we generate is designed with practical farming in mind. We’re CASA-licensed, DJI-certified, and proudly South African suppliers.

We also build and test our own gear — from drone payloads to mobile mixing trailers — because we know the paddock doesn’t wait.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to transform agriculture through technology that’s practical, precise, and farmer-first.

We exist to help growers do more with less — less chemical waste, less manual labour, and less guesswork. Using drones, AI, and automation, we deliver smarter tools that fit real-world farming challenges: rugged terrain, tight timing windows, and the need for data-driven results.

We’re not here to replace farmers — we’re here to equip them for the next era.

Our Vision:

We see a future where autonomous drones, edge AI, and precision maps work together to reduce chemical use, protect the environment, and help farmers make better decisions, faster. From aerial spot-spraying to fully automated fleets, we’re building toward smarter, safer, more sustainable agriculture.

Lumenoptics.co.za is the bridge between traditional practice and tomorrow’s tech. And it all starts here — with grounded experience and sky-high potential.