Theory

Agricultural drone:

An agricultural drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle used in agriculture operations, mostly in yield optimization and in monitoring crop growth and crop production. Agricultural drones provide information on crop growth stages, crop health, and soil variations.

Agriculture drone not only empowers agriculture professionals with powerful equipment but also provides intelligent solutions that save time and increase workflow, benefiting a wide range of customers from farmers and growers to agricultural cooperation and service agencies.

Crop spraying

Agri-drones can be used to spray chemicals as they have reservoirs, which can be filled with fertilizers and pesticides for spraying on crops in very little time, as compared to traditional methods. Thus, drone technology can usher in a new era for precision agriculture.

Avoid overuse of chemicals

Drones can prove to be especially effective in reducing the overuse of pesticides, insecticides, and other chemicals. These chemicals indeed help to protect the crop. But, their overuse can prove to be detrimental. Drones can detect minute signs of pest attacks, and provide accurate data regarding the degree and range of the attack. This can help farmers calculate the required amount of chemicals to be used that would only protect the crops rather than harming them.

Soil and field analysis

For efficient field planning, agricultural drones can be used for soil and field analysis. They can be used to mount sensors to evaluate moisture content in the soil, terrain conditions, soil conditions, soil erosion, nutrients content, and fertility of the soil.

Security

The drones are operated by trained drone pilots. So, there are no chances of their misuse.

High efficiency

Drones do not have any operational delays and can work double the speed of human labor.

Water-saving

In comparison to traditional spraying methods, agricultural drones use ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying technology, thus saving more water.

Low cost and easy to maintain

Agricultural drones are sturdy, low in cost, and require minimum maintenance. Some of the key features include a detachable container, low-cost frame, precise spraying of pesticides.

Drones are uncrewed aerial vehicles (also known as UAVs), which are used for surveillance in various industries. Till now, they were primarily used by companies working in industrial sectors such as mining and construction, army, and hobbyists.

But now, drone technology is increasingly available for use in various sectors of agriculture as well. Though the technology is still nascent in India, many companies are trying so that it is easily available to Indian farmers and ready to be used to increase efficiency in agricultural production.

According to recent research, the global drone market within agriculture would grow at 35.9% CAGR and reach $5.7 billion by 2025. The use of drone technology in agriculture is here to stay. This emerging technology can help reduce time and increase the efficiencies of the farmers. The use of drones in the agricultural sector is only expected to rise as the industry matures, and so it is good to know how to use this technology judiciously.

Soil and field analysis

For efficient field planning, agricultural drones can be used for soil and field analysis. They can be used to mount sensors to evaluate moisture content in the soil, terrain conditions, soil conditions, soil erosion, nutrients content, and fertility of the soil.

Crop monitoring

Crop surveillance is the supervision of crop progress from the time seeds are sown to the time for harvest. This includes providing fertilizers at the right time, checking for pest attack, and monitoring the effect of weather conditions. Crop surveillance is the only way that a farmer can ensure a timely harvest, especially when dealing with seasonal crops.

Any errors at this stage can result in crop failure. Crop surveillance helps in understanding and planning for the next farming season. Drones can help in effective crop surveillance by inspecting the field with infrared cameras and based on their real-time information, farmers can take active measures to improve the condition of plants in the field.

Plantation

Drones can help in planting trees and crops, which was done by farmers before. This technology will not only save labor but also help in saving fuels. Soon, it is expected that budget-friendly drones will be used instead of huge tractors, as they emit harmful gases and pollute the environment in the process.

Livestock management

Drones can be used to monitor and manage huge livestock as their sensors have high-resolution infrared cameras, which can detect a sick animal and swiftly take actions accordingly. So, the impact of drones on precision dairy farming is soon to become a new normal

Crop spraying

Agri-drones can be used to spray chemicals as they have reservoirs, which can be filled with fertilizers and pesticides for spraying on crops in very little time, as compared to traditional methods. Thus, drone technology can usher in a new era for precision agriculture.

Check crop health

Farming is a large-scale activity that takes place over acres of land. Constant surveys are necessary to monitor the health of the soil and the crop that has been planted. Manually, this may take days, and even then, there is space for human error. Drones can do the same job in a matter of hours. With infrared mapping, drones can gather information about both the health of the soil and the crop.

Avoid overuse of chemicals

Drones can prove to be especially effective in reducing the overuse of pesticides, insecticides, and other chemicals. These chemicals indeed help to protect the crop. But, their overuse can prove to be detrimental. Drones can detect minute signs of pest attacks, and provide accurate data regarding the degree and range of the attack. This can help farmers calculate the required amount of chemicals to be used that would only protect the crops rather than harming them.

Prepare for weather glitches

Weather conditions can prove to be a farmer’s best friend and worst enemy. Since these cannot be accurately predicted, it becomes extremely difficult to prepare for any shift in patterns. Drones can be used to detect upcoming weather conditions. Storm drones are already being used to make better predictions. And this information can be used by farmers to be better prepared. Advance notice of storms or lack of rain can be used to plan the crop to be planted that would be best suited to the season, and how to take care of planted crops at a later stage

Monitor growth

Even when everything is going according to plan, crops need to be surveyed and monitored to ensure that the right amount of yield will be available at the time of harvest. It is also important for future planning, whether it is about determining the right price for the open market, or harvesting cyclical crops. Drones can provide accurate data about every stage of crop growth, and report any variations before they become a crisis. Multispectral images can also provide accurate information about subtle differences between healthy and unhealthy crops that may be missed by the naked eye. For example, stressed crops will reflect less near-infrared light as compared to healthy crops. This difference cannot be detected by the human eye always. But drones can provide this information in the early stages

Geofencing

The thermal cameras installed over drones can easily detect animals or human beings. So, drones can guard the fields from external damage caused by animals, especially at night.

Benefits of agri-drones

Security

The drones are operated by trained drone pilots. So, there are no chances of their misuse. High efficiency Drones do not have any operational delays and can work double the speed of human labor.

Water-saving

In comparison to traditional spraying methods, agricultural drones use ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying technology, thus saving more water.

Low cost and easy to maintain

Agri drones are sturdy, low in cost, and require minimum maintenance. Some of the key features include a detachable container, low-cost frame, precise spraying of pesticides.