Journal of NACAA

Integration of Smart Drones and AI into Agriculture – A Review

ISSN 2158-9429

Volume 17, Issue 2 - December 2024

Editor: Linda Chalker-Scott

Abstract

New technological trends like smart drones and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have significant potential in transforming the agriculture industry. With the growing demands of the ever-increasing population, the global need for food supplies continues to rise. Efficiently handling food production is crucial for the growing population, thus employing the new technologies into the farming sector will help in producing crops with high output while minimizing the resources used. This paper explores the integration of AI and smart drones in agriculture, emphasizing precision farming and sustainable practices. By employing advanced sensors and AI-driven analytics, smart drones facilitate detailed crop monitoring, optimal irrigation management, early yield estimation, and make onerous and time-consuming data collections simpler and more efficient. These technologies enable precise resource application by reducing waste and environmental impact while enhancing productivity and efficiency. Furthermore, AI algorithms analyze historical and real-time data to improve yield predictions and farm management strategies. The fusion of AI and Smart drone technology in agriculture not only increases operational efficiency but also contributes to more sustainable farming and better resource conservation. However, challenges such as high implementation costs, the need for skillsets to understand data and operate drones, certification requirements, and restricted airspace issues need consideration to make sure the technology is adopted effectively and seamlessly.

View/Download Full Article