Scientists see the future in affordable swarms of nanodrones.

The use of drones in agriculture has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with drones taking on more tasks. A group of researchers from India, Australia, and the Netherlands has delved into the subject, predicting a bright future for fleets of intelligent nanodrones in agriculture. They believe these drones will make agriculture smarter, more environmentally friendly, and more resilient. Their findings were initially published on 360info.org. Currently, unmanned aerial vehicles have revolutionized large-scale agriculture with high-resolution images and real-time data for monitoring crops. They aid in pest detection, assessment of water stress, and precise application of fertilizers and pesticides. Some drones also support seed distribution, reducing manual labor, optimizing input use, and increasing overall agricultural productivity. Nanodrones are affordable for everyone. The issue with traditional drones is their cost, bulkiness, and complexity for small-scale farmers. Nanodrones, on the other hand, are smaller versions of conventional agricultural drones, offering a cost-effective and highly efficient alternative. They can be used for micro-precision spraying, reducing pesticide use, AI-based monitoring of plant health, and early detection of plant diseases. Their compact size allows access to narrow and fragmented cultivation areas, making them ideal for small-scale farmers. Equipped with advanced multispectral thermal sensors and AI algorithms, nanodrones can capture high-resolution images, analyze plant stress, and generate actionable insights in real-time. This not only enhances productivity but also promotes environmentally sustainable agriculture by minimizing chemical use and resource wastage, according to the researchers. Recent research on nanodrones suggests that several countries, including India, the USA, Japan, Australia, Brazil, China, and European countries like the Netherlands, are deploying compact drones for harvest monitoring, early pest detection, and efficient resource management. As part of a multinational study involving one of the authors, a renowned scientist from the Netherlands noted that nanodrones can "enhance sustainability through reduced pesticide use and improved food quality." Evidence shows that the use of nanodrones has contributed to optimizing efficiency in agriculture. For instance, the Robotic Eagle-Micro Drone demonstrates the potential of bio-inspired nanodrones in addressing agricultural challenges such as declining pollinators and crop monitoring. Nanocopters or small, helicopter-like drones can also stimulate pollination and boost productivity. The global market for agricultural nanodrones is experiencing rapid growth, with forecasts projecting an average annual growth rate of 35% over the next decade. Governments and private investors are increasingly investing in this groundbreaking technology, driving progress in research, development, and deployment. Agricultural nations like India, Brazil, and Sub-Saharan African countries are actively utilizing nanodrones. The market for small and nanodrones is expected to reach $10.4 billion by 2030, with a projected average annual growth rate of 8.6% from 2023, focusing on agriculture and disaster management. Policy recommendations also advocate for subsidies and incentives to encourage small-scale farmers to adopt drone technology. One of the most compelling advantages of nanodrones is their ability to enhance sustainability. Traditional agricultural methods often lead to soil degradation and excessive water consumption. Smart agricultural technologies like small and nanodrones optimize water use through precise irrigation, promoting sustainable agriculture in water-scarce regions, as mentioned in the technical paper. Nanodrones allow for targeted interventions. By monitoring soil moisture levels precisely, these drones enable farmers to significantly reduce water wastage. The seamless integration of nanodrones into sensor networks has proven successful in large-scale agricultural monitoring, improving crop yields while simultaneously reducing the use of chemical pesticides. As these drones detect plant diseases before visible symptoms occur, they prevent widespread crop losses, ensuring food security even in regions affected by unpredictable climate changes. Newer nanodrones offer innovative solutions that increase efficiency while reducing operating costs and environmental impact. For example, nanodrones like AgroFly are designed for highly precise pesticide application, minimizing drift and ensuring optimal plant protection without excessive chemical exposure. Another system called AgroWings is designed for large-scale monitoring and equipped with AI-based sensors that analyze soil conditions, detect nutrient deficiencies, and provide real-time feedback to farmers. Robotic Eagle uses advanced imaging technologies to detect early signs of diseases, pest infestations, and water stress, allowing for timely intervention to prevent widespread crop failures. Useful aids in nature observation According to the researchers, climate change has led to increased floods, droughts, and pest infestations that threaten global food security. Real-time thermal imaging and multispectral analysis can detect drought stress early, assess flood damage, and track pest movements. Authorities and farmers can then act quickly and preventatively before a crisis escalates. AI-driven drones can track swarm movements and provide predictive analyses, enabling authorities to take efficient countermeasures. These advanced nanodrones set themselves apart from traditional, broad agricultural techniques, enabling an intelligent, data-driven approach that dynamically adapts to real-time field conditions. By integrating AI, IoT, and precision targeting, they provide farmers with actionable insights and autonomous capabilities. Thus, agriculture becomes more sustainable, resilient, and productive in the face of modern challenges. Autonomous agriculture Nanodrones are expected to become even more advanced and seamlessly integrate into AI and IoT networks to create fully autonomous agricultural systems. Future developments in this area include biodegradable nanodrones that naturally decompose after use, reducing electronic waste and promoting sustainability. Researchers are also working on self-sustaining drone swarms that can make autonomous decisions based on real-time environmental data. With AI-supported analytics, future nanodrones will not only detect diseases and pests but also dynamically adjust their cultivation strategies to ensure optimal crop care without excessive human intervention. This shift towards intelligent, self-regulating agricultural ecosystems will redefine food production and make it more efficient, sustainable, and resilient in the face of global challenges. Nanodrones offer a practical solution to some of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture today. The transition from large, unwieldy drones to intelligent (with integrated neural network inference), compact nanodrones marks one of the most profound changes in the history of agricultural technology. "We must seize this opportunity to make food production smarter and more sustainable - not just reserved for large farms," the researchers conclude. --- *1The Authors Dr. Jolly Masih is an Associate Professor and scientist at BML Munjal University, Gurugram, India. Masih has patents for nano drones Agrofly, Ecofly, Robofly, and Robotic Eagle. Dr. Pratik Modi is the Dean of the School of Management at BML Munjal University. He is a Professor of Rural Marketing and co-inventor of Robotic Eagle. Dr. Harvinder Singh is a Professor at Leaders Institute and Associate Professor at Torrens University, Australia. He is also a co-inventor of Agrofly, Robofly, and Robotic Eagle. Ashish Sharma, EDO & Vice President, Strategic Data Products, Novartis, is also a co-inventor of Agrofly. Aard Groen, a Professor at the University of Groningen, Netherlands, also contributed technical content to this article.