What is the use of drones in agriculture in Kenya? How it’s being infused in farming

With the population increasing and the demand for food fast rising, farmers have no options but to think of better ways of high production using cost-efficient ways. Traditional farming methods are no longer sustainable, but embracing modern farming technologies gives high yields while significantly cutting costs and increasing profits. One such technology is drones. What is the use of drones in agriculture in Kenya?

For a long time, drones have been used mainly in the entertainment and security sectors, but nowadays, farmers in the modern era are embracing the technology.  Drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are fitted with multiple devices, such as cameras and sensors, to assist farmers in performing various activities. So, what is the use of drones in Agriculture in Kenya? Here is a deep dive into how the technology is revolutionising farming.

What is an agricultural drone?

It is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used to perform various agricultural operations, aiming at yield maximisation and monitoring crop production. In some cases, drones are used to perform activities in livestock farms.

What is the use of drones in agriculture in Kenya?

What are drones used for on a farm? From planting to mapping and surveying, using drones is the in-thing in farming. They help execute various operations that would be otherwise cumbersome and costly without them. Below are some farming activities drones perform.

Crop monitoring and management

In most farms, drones are used for crop monitoring. Drones can detect changes in crop health and provide high-resolution images using their sensors and cameras to farmers for analysis. Other advanced drones can identify a problem and recommend a solution. This is especially important in large-scale or commercial farming, where walking around inspecting the crops is almost impossible.

Precision agriculture

Information is critical to making decisions that increase production and minimise wastage. Drones provide accurate and reliable information for making decisions, such as the exact water quantity for irrigation, the type and rate of fertiliser application, and pesticide application on infested crops.

Planting and seeding

Drones simplify the work in large-scale farming, where traditional planting and seeding methods can be cumbersome. Since they are fitted with seed pods and dispensers, drones can efficiently plant seeds exactly where they are needed.

Crop spraying

Drones with spray systems can quickly apply pesticides and foliar fertilisers to an extensive farm. Additionally, they save farm workers from exposure to harmful chemicals.

Mapping and surveying

Mapping and surveying are essential for planning and decision-making on large farms. For instance, drones generate topographical maps, helping designers understand an extensive farm’s terrain when designing an irrigation system.

Disaster management

In areas prone to natural disasters such as floods and droughts, drones can quickly assess the extent of the damage. In such situations, various people rely on real-time information provided by drones to make decisions that will prevent further damage.

Livestock management and health assessment

Apart from crop-related applications, drones are useful in livestock management. They can monitor animal health, track movements, and assess pasture conditions.

What are the benefits of using drones in farming?

Are you contemplating whether to embrace the use of drones in farming or not? Perhaps learning about the benefits of drone farming in Kenya will help you make up your mind. Several benefits accrue from using these aerial devices on your farm, some of which are listed below.

• Increased efficiency — Drones significantly reduce the time and labour required to perform farming activities. The devices can perform an activity quickly on an extensive farm.
• Effective resource management — Precision agriculture involving drones can significantly reduce the use of water, pesticides, and fertilisers, resulting in cost savings.
• Improved productivity — By detecting pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies, drones help make timely interventions that result in healthier crops and animals and high yields.
• Enhanced safety — Drones eliminate the need for farm workers to traverse vast fields, exposing them to dangerous terrain and physical injuries. Additionally, farmers are not exposed to chemicals, such as pesticides and insecticides.
• Improved data collection — Drones help collect accurate information through sensors and cameras, aiding in better decision-making.

In an interview on KTN News, Idaho senator and pioneer of farming using drones in the US Robert Blair, spoke about various advantages of using drones in agriculture. He revealed about the progress of using drones, saying:

When I started, there was no canned solution. We were using off-the-shelf camera software, trying to stitch the imagery, and today, there are canned systems and software to stitch the images and to do the analysis. And that’s the key point: the analysis of the data is so important.

Types of agricultural drones

There are different types of agricultural drones, and it is essential to know each one before you acquire them. This will also help you to select the most appropriate drone for the activity on the farm you want it to perform.

1. Multirotor drones

Multirotor drones, such as quadcopters and hexacopters, are excellently manoeuvrable. They fly at low altitudes and are suitable for close crop inspection and application. However, they have a shorter flight time than other drone types and can be used only on small farms.

2. Fixed-wing drones

Fixed-wing drones are ideal for extensive farm operations. They can cover long distances in a single flight and are thus recommended for vast farmland mapping, surveying, and data collection. Due to their aerodynamic design, they can also operate in adverse weather.

3. VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) drones

VTOL drones are also referred to as hybrid drones because they combine the features of multirotor and fixed-wing drones. Like multirotor drones, they can take off and land vertically; like fixed-wing drones, they can cover long distances. Although they are versatile, they require expertise to operate and maintain.

Drone companies in Kenya

Are you wondering where to purchase agricultural drones and related services in Kenya? The companies listed below sell drones for agriculture and provide related services in Kenya and Africa.

• Orbital Africa
• Microdrone Africa
• Astral Aerial
• Kendrone
• Geoid Technologies
• Flying Labs
• StableGen
• Expert Drones
• Optron

Are there laws and regulations regarding the use of drones in Kenya?

Like in many other countries, Kenya has laws and regulations controlling the use of drones. Before flying a drone, it is important to comply with the rules outlined by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

What is the future of agricultural drones?

Although many farmers are embracing the use of drones in farming, quite a lot has not yet been achieved regarding technology. Better drone technologies are expected to improve the venture.

What is the use of drones in Agriculture in Kenya? Drones’ various uses in agriculture immensely benefit farmers, enhancing productivity, reducing costs, and promoting sustainable farming practices. With more Kenyan farmers turning to precision agriculture, the use of drones is inevitable.

Have you harvested your farm produce and are wondering where to sell it? Most Kenyan farmers fail at the marketing stage because they cannot get reasonable prices for their farm produce. Studying the market and planning how you will sell your produce is essential. Read this informative article about the best farmers’ markets in Kenya.