Prasenjit Bordoloi
(prasenjit.bordz@gmail.com)
By observing the present scenario in the Indian agricultural sector, we can see that human involvement in the agricultural field has been reduced to a great extent. The introduction of powerful tractors to plough the field and mechanised methods to harvest the crops has allowed modern-day farmers to save time and increase production. The use of automated sprinklers for spraying pesticides in large field areas, farm management software to track production and market demand, and monitoring of livestock through radio collars are some of the important contributions that technological advancements have made to make a remarkable impact on the efficiency of farmers. Another important technological innovation that has made its way to the fields of farmers is drone technology. It has revolutionised the traditional way of farming by making surveillance of large landscapes easier and more precise. It has also proven to be efficient in collecting real-time data on crop health, livestock tracking and count, soil health monitoring, and unusual occurrences on farm land at any point in time. These drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), use advanced sensors and cameras to understand the field conditions and take the necessary steps to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Hence, agriculture is one major sector where these drones are now largely in use. In recent years, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has published ‘The Drone Rules, 2021’ which has revolutionised the way drones are used in India.
Application of agricultural drones
Tracking field conditions: Drones are being used to map the fields, providing comprehensive data on terrain, elevation, and other relevant factors to the operator. This helps the farmers optimise irrigation by identifying areas that require more water. Notably, there are specialized drones equipped with advanced sensors that have the capability to monitor soil nitrogen levels, enabling precise fertiliser application and the maintenance of soil health.
Crop health assessment: Drones are equipped with multispectral sensors; a multispectral sensor can collect wavelengths that are visible to standard visual sensors as well as wavelengths that fall outside the visible spectrum. Captured data can be used to analyse crop health and detect diseases. It can provide accurate information about minute differences between healthy and unhealthy crops that may be missed by the naked human eye.
Crop spraying: Drones are fitted with reservoirs and can be used to spray pesticides and fertilizers in the field. The modern-day spray drone can cover up to 2.5 acres of farmland in just 20 minutes. These drones have a RADAR-based collision avoidance system and a RADAR-based terrain following system that can detect trees and poles and maintain uniform height from the crop canopy.
Monitoring livestock: Drones can be used to monitor and manage huge livestock populations with the help of high-resolution cameras and infrared sensors. Thermal cameras in drones are used at night for surveillance. These thermal cameras can also count livestock or detect potential predators at night.
Agricultural drones in Northeast India: Northeast India’s first and only Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO), Amtron | Edurade Drone School, which is in Guwahati, Assam, has initiated training programmes to enable individuals to obtain a DGCA approved Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC). With the implementation of ‘The Drone Rules, 2021,’ having this certificate has become a mandatory requirement for drone pilots. Officials and members of the general public from various regions of the north-eastern states as well as mainland India like West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Delhi have successfully undergone the training for RPC. IIT-Guwahati has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Amtron and Edurade Drone School. The primary objective of this partnership is to enhance and expand drone-based training, research, development, and manufacturing for various sectors. These sectors include agriculture, disaster management, wildlife conservation, and healthcare. Agricultural drones are now a trending topic among agronomists, students, and farmers in this region. Several government research institutes from the Northeast, such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), and agricultural universities, have acquired advanced agricultural drones for research and training purposes. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in various regions of Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya have procured crop spraying drones to be used by their research scholars and scientists to educate village-level farmers, help them understand the technology, and help them use them in the future. A renowned agricultural university in Assam has recently acquired multiple crop spraying drones and survey drones with multispectral sensors for crop health assessment and precision farming. These modern, high-tech UAVs with autonomous flight modes can help agronomists and research scholars optimise resources and improve efficiency. In conclusion, agricultural drones are revolutionising traditional farming practices in India. As an increasing number of start-ups join the race to provide more improved and efficient drone technology for the agricultural sector. This will improve the region’s food production while minimizing labour costs. In the future, when this technology becomes more accessible to farmers, it will play a vital role in shaping the future of agriculture in this region.