In few years, the use of drones has become the go-to for persons in varying industries. It appears that in recent times, key players in the agricultural sector have also caught up with this trend and are using it to good effect. It has been estimated that the drone market for agriculture will be worth a whopping $4.8 billion by the year 2024. These drones are projected to become almost essential tools in the running of the day-to-day activities on the farm as they have proven to provide accurate information about farmers and allowed them to make informed decisions in a precise and timely manner. Studies have gone on to reveal that those who have implemented drone systems have recorded increased yields by 5%. This is a significant number in an industry where it is at times more likely to record a loss than profit.
In this week’s segment, we will be taking a look at the various ways through which drones are being used to carry out activities on the farm.
PLANTING AND SEEDING
A relatively newer addition to the uses of drones in agriculture, automated drone seeders are used mostly to plant trees in areas considered risky for people to go out and plant on their own. They can as well be used when the presence of certain weather conditions does not allow for farmers to go planting by themselves. With the need of just two people to serve as its operators, these highly efficient drones can plant as many as 400,000 trees a day.
MONITORING FIELD CONDITIONS
Drone field monitoring is used to monitor soil health and field conditions. The drones allow farmers to detect any anomalies in the field through the provision of accurate field mapping. They also provide information on areas such as field elevation, which helps the farmer decide on the irrigation methods which are most appropriate for the irrigation methods which are most appropriate for the farm. Some drones are also capable of undertaking nitrogen level monitoring in soil using
improved sensors. This is beneficial during fertilizer application as well as helping maintain the genera health of the soil.
SCOUTING/MONITORING PLANT HEALTH
Specialised imagery drones used to monitor plant health are equipped with a special imaging feature called Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). This feature employs in-depth colour information to indicate plant health. This allows farmers to monitor the entire growth process of their crops to promptly identify and address any problems. Drones also capture accurate image locations with good lighting and clarity. This allows for the immediate identification of stand gaps, pests and crops with diseases.
SPRAY APPLICATION
By using drone sprayers, areas such as steep tea fields which are considered hard to reach can be easily accessed. Considering how harmful some of these chemicals are when ingested, drones also offer a safer alternative to the use of knapsacks. They as well execute fine spray applications in specific areas with maximum efficiency. However, not all countries have approved of its use. For instance, experts in Canada have requested for more testing to be conducted on the likely impact of spray drift. Some countries also propose that drone spraying should only be carried out by professionals who have received training on the equipment.
SECURITY
Drone security is an innovation that has proven to be extremely useful to farm management. That is because the drones can be used to monitor the entire scope of a farm without having to physically get there. This time-saving equipment also allows the farmer to be in constant reach of the extreme areas of his farm. Some farmers of valuable cash and food crops have resulted in the use of security drones to monitor fencing and perimeters. This allows for the quick identification and alerting of appropriate authorities without putting the farmer in danger.
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