Commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems in Agriculture

A Better Understanding of the Agricultural Drone Ecosystem is Leading to the Increased Adoption of the Technology in Farming Practices

Drones and robotics are automating labor-intensive processes. As digital innovations continue to evolve, they are transforming the agricultural sector, boosting efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. Precision agriculture integrates GPS technology with data analytics to optimize crop yields, while drones equipped with optical payloads efficiently monitor crop health, guide treatment strategies, assist in harvesting, and help deter wildlife. This convergence is fueled by advancements in IoT, battery technology, robotics, and software development, which are increasingly being incorporated into traditional farming methods. Many governments are pursuing smart agriculture goals through incentives, cooperative programs, and by promoting drone-as-a-service business models, particularly in regions where ownership poses challenges. These innovations enable farmers to increase yields, reduce resource consumption, and address the effects of climate change by monitoring soil health and supporting effective crop management techniques. The global agricultural drone industry comprises drone hardware, drone software, and data services. Drone services include drone mapping, surveying and inspections, drone-enabled spraying, and other data services for crop management. The objective of this study is to assess the drone hardware, software, and data services markets.