DJI Drones and Farming: 6 Ways DJI Is Revolutionizing Farming

During the Neolithic revolution, humanity set aside its hunting and gathering lifestyle and turned towards agricultural life. Ever since then, farmers have led the world in adopting new technologies.

The result has been a more stable lifestyle with a marked reduction in global poverty.

One of the most recent pieces of technology adopted is the agricultural drone.

Drones aren't exactly a new technology. But the way farmers use drones in agriculture breathes new life into their practical applications. It not only makes farming more sustainable but helps farmers get the most of every yield.

What relationship do drones and agriculture have? Here are six ways drones make farming sustainable, bountiful, and less expensive.

1. Irrigation

The irrigation of crops presents a two-fold issue for population growth. First, battling long-standing droughts challenges farmers around the world.

Second, agriculture eats up 70 percent of the freshwater used worldwide.

Moreover, water remains a finite resource.

Our goal then is to get water to the crops that need it to - but to limit waste whenever possible.

They can highlight patches showing signs of stress with thermal and infrared sensors.

With the help of drone technology, you'll reach the areas that need water most without wasting water on healthy crops. Not only will you save our most precious resource, but also boost your yields in the process.

2. Health Assessment

The health of crops in the ground contributes to the overall return. Every farmer's goal is to identify plants in stress as early as possible to both save the plant and prevent jeopardy for the field.

Early detection of disease in humans dramatically improves the likelihood for survival - and it does the same for plants.

The use of drones makes this possible - and inexpensive - for the first time. With near-infrared sensors, it's possible to identify a plant facing stress very early. Some sensors see signs of trouble up to 10 days before it becomes clear to the naked eye.

Having a 10-day notice to check on a plant could be the key to preventing large-scale losses.

For example, if your field is contaminated by a pest, all farmers in the area will face the same threat.

When you identify the issue before it spreads, you prevent the loss of thousands of acres of crops.

Trials of the use of drones in health assessment extend beyond crops.

They also include animals and wildlife.

During an experiment in Kenya, drones surveyed a herd before the vets on the ground could get dressed and into their car. There's also evidence that drones could be used to spots sick animals.

"When you identify the issue before it spreads, you prevent the loss of thousands of acres of crops."

3. Planting

Drones won't replace traditional planting equipment in the near future, but they do make planting more accurate.

Imagine creating a precise seed-planting pattern based on multiple data points, including nitrogen-levels. Drones produce 3D maps with little effort and expense, which serve as a basis for many seed-planting applications.

Drones won't replace the physical planting process in the next few years. But the work is important because it reduces labor costs and improves efficiency.