The agricultural revolution through the use of drones has facilitated a major transformation in modern farming practices, ranging from crop monitoring to automated spraying. The presence of this technology provides farmers with highly useful tools to manage land more efficiently and effectively. In this context, the use of drones in precision agriculture has shown significant potential to enhance productivity and sustainability.
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Drones equipped with multispectral and infrared cameras offer the ability to monitor crop health and growth from above. This capability allows for early identification of issues such as crop stress, drought, or pest infestations. Data gathered from this monitoring process enables farmers to take proactive and timely actions, thereby reducing potential losses (Kondo et al., 2024; [-] et al., 2024; Kalaiselvi et al., 2024). Additionally, drones can calculate land area and analyze topography, providing valuable insights for land planning (Jalajamony et al., 2023; Kalaiselvi et al., 2024).
In terms of pest and disease detection, drones offer significant advantages through image processing algorithms and artificial intelligence. This technology can detect abnormal patterns on leaves or plant colors that may indicate pest or disease attacks (Verma et al., 2022; Singh et al., 2024; Li et al., 2024). Mapping and analysis performed by drones generate data that can be integrated into data-driven farming systems, enabling farmers to receive early warnings and take necessary pest control measures (Krul et al., 2021; Singh et al., 2024).
One of the most compelling applications of drones in agriculture is their ability to perform automated and targeted spraying of fertilizers and pesticides. This spraying process is proven to be more efficient than conventional methods, allowing farmers to reach difficult terrain and apply chemicals only to the areas that need them (Yu et al., 2023; Singh et al., 2024). Research indicates that drone spraying improves chemical usage efficiency, reduces waste, and mitigates the environmental impact caused by traditional farming methods (Homeshvari et al., 2024; Yu et al., 2023; Singh et al., 2024).
The use of drones in agriculture not only improves productivity but also helps reduce operational costs while promoting more sustainable farming practices (Karunathilake et al., 2023; [-] et al., 2024). Although the initial investment for implementing this technology is relatively high, the long-term benefits have encouraged more farmers, including those in rural areas, to adopt drone technology (Das, 2024; Kalaiselvi et al., 2024). Drone technology plays a critical role in global efforts to enhance food security and meet future demands as the world population continues to grow rapidly (Dutta et al., 2023; Lee et al., 2020).
Overall, the integration of drones into farming practices not only revolutionizes the way farmers operate but also contributes to the sustainability and efficiency of global agricultural systems. With the advancement of this technology, the future of agriculture appears more optimistic and promising for generations to come.
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