What role do drones play in agriculture?

Agriculture’s application of drone technology
With the continuous advancement of Internet of Things development technology, a variety of agricultural equipment has begun to emerge, such as drone technology that has been applied to agriculture; drones play a significant role in the agricultural revolution. By utilizing drones, farmers are able to increase crop yields, reduce time and effort expended, and significantly increase their return on investment.

1. Soil measurement
Before planting crops, farmers must ensure that the soil is rich in nutrients. The data gathered from soil samples can provide in-depth information on how much fertilizer is required, which crops grow best, and how much water is necessary.
However, manual monitoring, collection, and analysis of soil samples are not a viable alternative. Therefore, drones can efficiently collect images of the soil that will provide farmers with valuable information about the soil.

2. Crop fertilization
The proper amount of fertilizer is essential for the healthy development of crops. The current method of fertilization involves the use of a tractor or manual spraying. However, tractors cannot reach every corner of the field, and manual fertilization is prohibitively expensive. In addition, we do not know if humans are performing their duties correctly.
Drones will assist farmers in applying the proper quantity of pesticide or fertilizer. Drones equipped with sensors can precisely measure soil properties and crop health. After the analysis is complete, the drone can spray the necessary fertilizer on the crops. A key advantage of crop-spraying drones is that they can be operated autonomously, saving money, time, and labor.

3. Monitoring agricultural crops
After planting, the most important step before harvesting is monitoring crop observation. It is practically impossible to monitor crop health manually. Insects and other pests, a lack of water, and low nitrogen levels in the soil can impede crop growth significantly. Drones can assist farmers with all of these and numerous other issues. Frequent inspections can provide farmers with real-time, actionable information regarding crop disease, water scarcity, and moisture levels.
There are numerous applications for drones in agriculture. However, farmers should utilize the aforementioned applications to meet growing demand as soon as possible. There are currently a number of issues, including cybersecurity, high costs, and drone safety. However, once all the current issues surrounding drones are resolved, drones will be widely adopted throughout the world.