Drones Take Over Sa Farms

Ermelo, South Africa The agricultural sector is embracing emerging drone technology as a solution to many modern farming challenges. With the global agricultural drone market valued at R85 billion in 2023 and projected to grow to R169 billion by 2028, these innovative tools are revolutionising farming practices worldwide, according to Afri Air Agricultural Solutions a specialist drone supplier for agricultural purposes.

Modernagricultural dronesstreamline and enhance farming operations by delivering accurate fast. For example, theDJI Mavic 3 Multispectral dronecan survey up to 200 hectares in a single day under optimal conditions, drastically reducing the time and effort required for field inspections.

Key applications of agricultural drones include:

• Creating detailedtopographical maps.
• Monitoringcrop healththrough advanced imaging.
• Precision application ofagricultural inputs.
• Trackingirrigation patterns.
• Assessingsoil conditionsand drainage systems.

Equipped with technologies such as Normalised Difference Vegetation Index NDVI imaging , thermal sensorsand GPS navigation, agricultural drones offer unparalleled accuracy. Studies show thatmultispectral imagingcan detect crop stress and disease up to five days before visible symptoms appear, enabling farmers to address issues proactively and efficiently.

Farmers adopting drone technology experience significant benefits, including: