Drone-Based Intelligent Spraying of Pesticides: Current Challenges and Its Future Prospects

With the advancement in drone technology over the past few years, drones have become an essential component of modern agriculture. Beginning with the first idea of an unmanned bomb-filled balloon to today's unmanned multi-rotor aerial vehicle, drone technology has witnessed big and rapid developments. The ongoing research on drones has led to a path where one after another modification in every aspect, be it an array of sensors or algorithms and the marketability of different types and models of drones suitable for various agricultural operations from collecting data of crop parameters and field mapping to detecting pests and applying pesticides as and when required, has increased. Modern-day drones have advanced sensors and high-resolution cameras which, along with good processing algorithms, can distinguish between healthy, nutritionally deficient, disease-infected, insect-infested crop or an unwanted weed. The data collected can then be successfully utilized for crop modeling and searching and locating potential pest hotspots. Crop production is severely limited due to dramatic losses incurred by the farmers as a result of pests and diseases. Thus, the application of crop protection materials becomes one of the important practices in agriculture. However, the traditional methods of pesticide application are time consuming, less effective, as well as hazardous to human health. In this regard, sprayer-mounted drones have made pesticide application quick, efficient, and safe. Although cost, weather dependence, and other shortcomings limit drone use by farmers in general, the overall and long-term benefits provided by drones are that which establish drones as an integral part of modern farming systems. This holds scope for the future wherein drones might be seen as the face of hi-tech agriculture.