ABSTRACT
Drones have become a revolutionizing asset in the agricultural domain by providing new methods of increasing efficiency and sustainability. About existing research, this chapter focuses on the major drone uses in agriculture, such as crop scouting, pest control, water management, soil properties assessment, seeds and fertilizers application, and animal husbandry. Using drones fitted with sensors and high-definition cameras, farmers such as Buber farmers can monitor crop conditions, diagnose, and cure diseases in their infancy, as well as save on the use of water and fertilizers, thus increasing output and reducing costs. Controlled use of thermal power and targeted spraying technology in pest control reduces the chemicals used and the negative effects on the environment. Assistance on irrigation in drones with multispectral cameras reduces excessive water movement by providing information about the moisture of the soil. Drones have also proven to be quite useful in the domain of soil assessment, allowing for data collection that fosters better management of soil. Seed placement accuracy and effectiveness increase when the procedure is done through drones, thus reducing labor costs. In addition, drones have become beneficial in livestock health monitoring, enabling early warning of possible health problems as well as enhancing livestock management practices. Weed detection, assisting the distribution of pollinators, and aid during harvesting are just a few of the applications that illustrate how drones can emphasize reducing the physical undertaking as well as improving the accuracy of the operations carried out. There are however obstacles, which to some extent include government policies, operational costs, technology challenges, and more importantly, the complicatedness of data handling and analysis. To use drones to promote sustainable and effective farming practices, all of these issues need to be fixed.
