Page 47 - IMDR Journal 2025

Research Article
findings suggest that while drones can enhance efficiency, pesticide use, thanks to more targeted and efficient
reduce input costs, and improve sustainability, their application. This not only saves money but also reduces the
widespread implementation faces several challenges that environmental impact, helping shift toward more
must be addressed for broader integration into farming sustainable farming practices.
practices.
The survey paints a clear picture: drones can transform
The high initial cost of drones is a major deterrent to agriculture, but only if we tackle the key challenges standing
adoption, cited as the most significant challenge by farmers. in the way cost, complexity, and regulation.
The cost of purchasing, maintaining, and it is prohibitive to
operate drones, particularly for small and medium-sized
farmers, who make up the majority of India’s agricultural SUGGESTIONS
workforce. Even though drones have shown long-term cost Subsidized Drone Leasing for Small Farmers
benefits by optimizing resource utilization, the immediate High upfront costs are one of the biggest barriers to drone
financial burden outweighs these perceived advantages. The adoption. One solution is to introduce leasing programs
survey also suggests that if financial assistance, such as through the government or cooperatives, where small and
subsidies or low-interest loans, were made available, a large
marginal farmers can rent drones at subsidized rates. This
percentage of farmers would be willing to adopt drone
makes drone technology more affordable and widely
technology. This indicates a strong demand for government accessible without requiring heavy investment.
intervention in making drone technology more accessible.
AI-Driven Pest and Disease Detection
Technical challenges also play a crucial role in limiting
drone adoption. The survey indicates that limited battery life By combining drones with artificial intelligence (AI),
and payload capacity are major constraints, affecting the farmers can detect issues like pest attacks or diseases early.
efficiency of drone operations. Battery limitations require Drones equipped with AI can process aerial images and give
frequent recharging, disrupting continuous field operations, real-time, actionable insights. This helps reduce pesticide
while payload constraints limit the quantity of pesticides or overuse and boosts yield management by focusing on
fertilizers a drone can carry, necessitating multiple rounds of treatments only where they’re needed.
application. Additionally, many farmers lack the technical Battery and Payload Optimization Research
expertise required to operate drones effectively. Despite Many drones currently have limited battery life and can only
increasing demand for AI- powered drones, their successful carry small amounts of fertilizer or pesticide. Investing in
implementation requires adequate training and education, research and development to improve battery performance
which remain lacking in many rural areas. The need for well- and payload capacity would make drones far more effective
structured training programs is becoming increasingly clear. and reliable for day-to-day farm tasks.
Farmers need more than just access to drones—they need to
understand how to use them effectively. One way to achieve Encouraging research and development in drone battery
this is through collaborations with agricultural universities technology and lightweight payload systems will enhance
and government agencies that can provide expert-led, their effectiveness in large- scale farming.
hands-on training across rural regions. 1. Tracking Environmental Impact Drones can help
monitor how farming practices affect the environment. By
But training isn’t the only hurdle. Many farmers are
discouraged by the regulatory barriers around drone usage. regularly checking soil health and water quality, they can
According to recent surveys, the legal framework for using show whether pesticides or fertilizers are causing harm. This
drones in Indian agriculture is often seen as confusing and kind of data is useful for creating farming methods that are
hard to navigate. While schemes like the Kisan Drone eco-friendlier and more sustainable.
Initiative are designed to promote drone adoption, slow and 2. Better Weather Awareness With built-in weather
complicated approval processes, along with strict airspace sensors, drones can collect real-time climate data. This helps
regulations, are turning farmers away from investing in the farmers prepare for storms, droughts, or sudden weather
technology. changes. Getting early warnings means they can take action
to protect their crops and avoid heavy losses.
The findings suggest that if rules were clearer and approvals
were faster and simpler, more farmers would be willing to 3. Looking Below the Surface Some drones come with
take the leap. A streamlined regulatory framework could LiDAR technology, which lets them “see” underground.
make a big difference in speeding up drone adoption in They can track root development and measure how much
Indian farming. moisture is in the soil below the surface. This gives farmers a
Even with these barriers, the farmers who have adopted deeper understanding of crop health literally and helps
improve soil and water management.
drones are seeing clear benefits. Many report a noticeable
boost in productivity, especially when using drones for crop 4. Smart Weed Control Using AI, drones can spot weeds in
monitoring. By spotting pests, diseases, or nutrient the middle of crop fields and spray herbicides only where
problems early, they can take action before things get out of needed. This targeted approach saves money, uses fewer
hand leading to better yields. chemicals, and causes less harm to the environment.
Precision spraying is another area showing strong results. 5. Making Drones More Affordable Many farmers can’t
Some farmers have reported a reduction of up to 40% in afford drones upfront. One solution is to offer small loans or

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