A Revolution in Agribusinesses: Drones

Authored by Tahani Nsouli

Drones:

Aircrafts that do not have a pilot but is controlled by someone on the ground. Drones are commonly used in various agricultural operations, primarily for yield optimization and monitoring crop growth and production. 

When did Drone Usage in Agriculture become common?

During the early 2000s, drone usage became increasingly more common in farm fields. In 2006, the Japanese manufacturer Yamaha released     “R-50”, the first agricultural drone, acting as a remarkable turning point for both agriculture and drone technology. From the 2010 onwards, in addition to mapping, surveillance and photography, drones were used for data analysis, monitoring, and crop spraying. Moreover, professionals in agriculture adopt the technology due to the valuable proven efficiency drones bring to farm field work.

Benefits of Drones in Agriculture:

1.      Cost and Time Saving

Drones reduce operational costs by enhancing productivity and efficiency. They present a great alternative to time-consuming and labor-intensive traditional land surveying methods. This is due to their ability in covering large areas, collecting high-resolution and accurate data quickly, and much faster than manual methods. This allows farmers to make more punctual and informed decisions.

2.      Improved Safety

Drones are also used to survey hazardous and hard-to-reach areas of farmland, minimizing the need to send workers into dangerous situations. This assists in improving the workers’ safety.

3.       Enhanced Data Accuracy

Drones, especially those equipped with advanced sensors, are capable of capturing high-quality, detailed aerial imagery and data concerning crop health, soil condition, irrigation systems and more. This data provides farmers with valuable insights to enhance their operations.

Conclusion

The benefits of drones in agriculture, such as cost reduction, time savings, safety improvements, and enhanced data accuracy, have bolstered agribusiness and fueled their integration of drones into farm operations. However, it is crucial to prioritize privacy protection by obtaining legal permits according to residential area regulations. Additionally, ensuring technical expertise in drone usage is essential. By considering these factors, agribusinesses can fully leverage the advantages of drones while complying with regulations and optimizing their agricultural practices.

Works Cited

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5.      Travelers. “The Benefits of Drones in Agribusiness.” Www.travelers.com, www.travelers.com/resources/business-industries/agribusiness/benefits-of-drones-in-agribusiness.

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