The agriculture industry is witnessing a significant shift towards precision farming. Additionally, IoT-based drones are at the forefront of improving crop quality in agricultural fields. 

The global agriculture drone market size was valued at USD 4.98 billion in 2023. It is projected to grow from USD 6.10 billion in 2024 to USD 23.78 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.5% during the forecast period. 

As the demand for these technologies grows worldwide, India is rapidly adopting IoT-based drones. Government initiatives, agricultural policies, and increased awareness of the benefits of smart farming support this growth.

Before diving into how IoT-based drones work in agriculture, it’s essential to understand what IoT (Internet of Things) actually is. 

What is IoT (Internet of Things)?

In simple terms, IoT refers to a network of physical objects or devices that are connected to the internet, allowing them to collect, exchange, and analyze data without human intervention. 

These objects or devices are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies that enable them to connect and communicate with other systems.

In agriculture, IoT can connect everything from soil moisture sensors to climate control systems in greenhouses, and in this case, drones. 

These IoT-enabled drones gather real-time data on the environment, crops, and soil, which is then transmitted to cloud platforms for analysis. 

The result? 

Smarter farming decisions and more efficient operations, all powered by technology.

The beauty of IoT is that it turns everyday devices into intelligent tools that work together seamlessly, making your farming practices more precise, automated, and data-driven. 

What is an IoT-Based Drone for Agriculture?

An IoT-based drone is a drone equipped with sensors, cameras, and other technology that allows it to collect real-time data from your farm. These drones connect to the internet and transmit data to a cloud-based platform for analysis.

By using these drones, you gain the ability to monitor crop health, soil conditions, and environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and rainfall, all from the comfort of your phone or computer.

Why Do You Need IoT-Based Drones in Agriculture?

In the past, managing large farms required a lot of manual labor and guesswork. You had to inspect your crops physically, sometimes walking acres at a time to identify issues like pests, diseases, or water stress. This process is time-consuming and often leads to missed problems, resulting in crop loss.

IoT-based drones are game-changers because they can cover vast areas quickly and efficiently. They give you precise, real-time data on the state of your crops, which helps you make data-driven decisions to improve crop quality. 

With drones, you can monitor everything from plant health to soil moisture, helping you maximize your yields while minimizing the use of resources like water, pesticides, and fertilizers.

Also Read: New Technology in Agriculture: Top Trends and Benefits

How IoT-Based Drones Improve Crop Quality

IoT-based drones have emerged as powerful tools in modern agriculture, helping farmers improve crop quality, reduce resource waste, and streamline farm operations. 

These drones, equipped with advanced sensors and real-time data capabilities, enable farmers to make more informed decisions, leading to improved yields and healthier crops. Here are some of the key benefits these drones bring to the field:

1. Real-Time Crop Monitoring

One of the most significant advantages of IoT-based drones is their ability to capture detailed, real-time data about crop health. 

These drones use multispectral cameras to assess a variety of factors, including plant health, soil moisture, and the presence of pests or diseases.

• Early Disease Detection: Drones can detect early signs of disease or pest infestation that may not be visible to the naked eye. This gives you the opportunity to act quickly and prevent further spread, reducing crop loss.

• Nutrient Deficiency Detection: Through advanced imaging, drones can identify nutrient deficiencies in specific areas of the field. This allows for targeted fertilization, ensuring your crops get the exact nutrients they need, boosting growth and quality.

2. Precision Spraying for Reduced Chemical Use

Traditional spraying methods often result in uneven application of pesticides and fertilizers, leading to waste and environmental harm. 

IoT-based drones address this by providing precision spraying capabilities, ensuring that chemicals are applied only where they are needed.

• Cost-Effective: Drones can complete spraying tasks in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods, replacing hours of manual labor with just a few minutes of automated flight. 

With Leher’s drones covering up to 50 acres per day, farmers can save 20-30% on their farming costs.

• Reduced Chemical Waste: By targeting only affected areas, drones can reduce chemical waste by up to 70%. This helps minimize the environmental impact of pesticides and fertilizers while still ensuring healthy crops.

3. Optimized Irrigation Practices

Water management is crucial for maintaining crop quality, but many farmers struggle with inefficient irrigation techniques. IoT-based drones equipped with moisture-sensing technology can assess soil moisture levels in real-time, providing accurate data to optimize irrigation practices.

• Water Conservation: With drones, you can ensure that water is applied only where it’s needed, reducing over-irrigation and conserving precious resources. This not only conserves water by 90% but also promotes better root development and overall plant health.

• Improved Crop Yield: By applying the right amount of water in the right places, drones help ensure more consistent crop growth, potentially increasing yields by 15%-30%.

4. Reduced Labor Shortages

Labor shortages are a growing concern in agriculture, making it harder to find workers for tasks like spraying and irrigation. Drones provide a solution to this problem by automating many of these labor-intensive tasks.

• Automation: With autonomous drones, you can reduce your reliance on manual labor, saving both time and effort. 

These drones can carry out tasks such as spraying and monitoring with minimal human intervention, allowing farmers to focus more on other aspects of farm management. It also helps reduce input usage by 30%. 

• Increased Efficiency: Drones dramatically reduce the time it takes to complete tasks. What once required hours of manual labor can now be accomplished in just a few minutes, enhancing productivity and enabling farmers to manage larger areas more efficiently.

5. Improved Nutrient and Pest Management

Effective nutrient management and pest control are key factors in maintaining crop quality. IoT-based drones provide precise data on where and when to apply fertilizers and pesticides, helping you manage resources more efficiently.

• Precision Application: With drones, you can apply nutrients and pesticides to the specific areas of the field that need them most. This targeted approach reduces the overall use of chemicals and fertilizers.

• Enhanced Absorption: The precise application improves the absorption of fertilizers and pesticides by the plants, leading to healthier crops and higher-quality produce.

6. Higher Crop Yield and Lower Costs

The efficiency gains brought about by drones don’t just improve crop quality—they also translate into better yields and reduced costs. By reducing waste, optimizing water use, and improving efficiency, drone technology helps farmers increase productivity without increasing input costs.

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: In the long term, using drones for tasks like spraying and irrigation can actually reduce costs. With drones, farmers save on labor, water, chemicals, and time—all while achieving 15% higher crop yields.

If you're ready to experience these benefits, book your spray now with Leher and connect with certified drone operators. Download the app today to schedule your first spray quickly and easily! 

Leher’s services are designed to save you time, reduce waste, and ultimately improve your yields. It's a great way to bring this technology to your farm and see the difference it can make.

How Drone Entrepreneurs and Pilots Can Benefit

As a drone entrepreneur or pilot, you have an exciting opportunity to tap into the growing demand for IoT-based drones in agriculture. 

Farmers are increasingly seeking innovative solutions to enhance crop quality and streamline their operations, and you can provide this with drone services.

1. Growing Market for Agricultural Drones

The agricultural drone market is booming, with an increasing number of farmers recognizing the benefits of using drones for crop management. By offering IoT-based drone services, you can tap into this growing market and provide essential services such as crop monitoring, irrigation management, pest control, and more.

• Service Variety: As a drone service provider, there are numerous ways to diversify your offerings. From crop health assessments to field mapping and precision spraying, the possibilities are endless.

• Long-Term Relationships: As farms continue to grow and adopt more technological solutions, building long-term relationships with farmers who rely on IoT-based drone technology will be key to sustaining a profitable business.

2. Competitive Edge

The agriculture industry is constantly evolving, and farmers are increasingly adopting technology to stay ahead of the competition. 

By offering IoT-based drone services, you can position yourself as a leader in the industry and attract tech-savvy farmers seeking ways to enhance their operations.

• Innovation: Being a part of the growing trend of smart agriculture shows that you are at the forefront of technological advancements.

• Expertise: As an expert in drone technology, you will become an invaluable partner for farmers looking to optimize their farm management practices.

If you're a drone pilot looking to expand into agriculture or an aspiring pilot wanting to get started, Leher’s Drone Partner Program is the perfect fit. Experienced pilots can tap into a growing market, offering services like precision spraying and crop monitoring. 

For those just starting, Leher offers the training and support you need to succeed. It’s a great opportunity to grow your business in the fast-evolving agri-tech space.

The Future of IoT-Based Drones in Agriculture

The potential of IoT-based drones in agriculture is vast, and we are only scratching the surface of what these technologies can offer. In the future, advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensor technology will make drones even more powerful tools for improving crop quality and farm management.

• Autonomous Drones: Future drones could operate autonomously, requiring little to no input from farmers or drone pilots. This could further reduce labor costs and make it easier for farmers to manage their fields.

• AI Integration: As artificial intelligence (AI) evolves, drones will become even more capable of diagnosing crop diseases, predicting yields, and optimizing resource use.

Optimize Your Crop Quality with Leher’s Drone Services

IoT-based drones are transforming farming practices, making crop management smarter and more efficient. With Leher’s precision drone services, you can take advantage of these technological advancements without the hassle. 

Leher makes it easy to get the most out of your farming operations. Be it optimizing irrigation, managing pests, or improving overall crop health.

Here’s how Leher can enhance your crop management:

• Precision Spraying: Ensure nutrients and pesticides are applied exactly where they’re needed, minimizing waste and improving crop quality.

• Time Efficiency: Cover up to 50 acres in just a day, significantly reducing the time spent on manual tasks.

• Cost Savings: Save 20-30% on resources like chemicals and water, boosting your farm's profitability.

• Easy Access: Book drone services effortlessly through the Leher app or via WhatsApp—no complicated processes.

Smart farming is just a tap away!

Download the Leher app now from the Play Storeor theApp Store.