India has a rich history of farming and even today a large section of its rural population depends on farming for their livelihood. With time, Indian farmers are adopting new methods of farming, advanced equipment, and the latest agricultural equipment, vehicles to connect with other progressive farmers across the world. Now is the time to use modern agricultural technology in the form of agricultural drones.
Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have the potential to revolutionize the agricultural sector, increasing farming efficiency and crop quality as well as reducing costs. Related Article: What Is The Role Of Drones In Farming, and What Government Subsidies Are Available For Them?
Why should farmers consider using agricultural drones?
The world is changing rapidly and a lot is happening around it. In such times, adaptation is necessary for everyone including farmers. Additionally, given the frequent and often sudden climate changes, farmers need next-generation technology to address the various challenges they typically face.
Drones emerged as the solution that can help promote smart farming, help farmers improve crop quality, increase yields, prevent losses, reduce costs and gain other important benefits.
Let us now discuss how you as a farmer can use drones for agriculture.
Best Practices for Using Drones for Agricultural Purposes
Soil Quality Assessment
Data on soil is fundamental for smart farming as it helps farmers get accurate and detailed information to evaluate the quality or condition of the soil, enabling them to take the best possible action. Farmers need to visit their fields, collect samples and evaluate them by hand, with some even hiring professional services to test the soil. Conversely, this process can now be done by drones equipped with smart agriculture sensors for more efficient, faster and cost-effective data accuracy – you need to make timely and effective decisions.
Crop Monitoring
You must take care of the health of your crops and the sooner you notice the plague (bacteria or fungus), the easier it will be to save the crop.
You can monitor your crops (from your home) using agricultural drones that use green light and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Can detect plants that reflect different amounts of light.
This data is important for tracking crop health and drones with crop monitoring features can also provide multispectral images, making the practice much easier.
Damage Detection
Farming drones with in-built multispectral and RGB sensors can help monitor fields, crops, and detect weeds, pests and infections. This information can help you determine the quantity and type of chemicals needed to treat or cure an infection, which can help you reduce costs.
Fast and accurate daily monitoring helps you detect any damage in advance so you can protect your crops before they get damaged. Apart from this, you can also present the information collected from the drone to strengthen your insurance claim in case of damaged crops.
Agricultural Spraying
After providing you with reliable information about fields, crops and plants, etc., a farming drone can spray the crops effectively.
This will not only help you spray faster, but will also help you avoid chemicals that may be harmful to your skin, lungs or health.
Experiencers also say that a drone can accelerate air spraying up to five times faster than other traditional methods.
Animal Monitoring
Animal farmers are aware of the problems related to animal husbandry management. If you too are tired of keeping an eye on your animals, then a special drone can make your life a lot easier. Drones can monitor the movements of your animals as they graze on pastures. You will not need horses or fuel-powered motor vehicles, which will also save costs.
Additionally, drones with thermal sensor technology can detect lost, sick or injured animals in addition to counting the exact number of members of your herd. Keeping this in mind, we can say that dogs can do a better job than herds when it comes to guarding animals.
Transplanting
In the future, drones can prepare soil and germinate seeds, which can help you get rid of fatigue and time-wasting methods. Many companies are working on this method and soon we can get special drones for this.
Just like you now know how to use drones for agriculture in the best way to increase crop production, you should also know about the drone operation laws in India.
General rules for drone use in India
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older and have a certificate to use a drone.
- You may not fly your drone over sensitive areas such as near airports or military areas, government offices, and residential areas of government officials.
- All drones must have a license plate that can provide essential information about the owner/operator and their contact details.
- You cannot fly more than one UAV at the same time.
- All drones require insurance.
To get more information about Indian drone use regulations, visit www.civilaviation.gov.in
Agricultural drones can provide good support to all farmers, especially small and medium-scale farmers who do not have the necessary financial resources to pay the sum cost for expensive equipment, machines, vehicles or labor expenses. With the help of drones, you can also reduce your farming costs, as well as save time spent on various agricultural processes.