new technology on our field drone spraying

Описание: 🚜🌾 DRONE SPRAYING TECHNOLOGY – DETAILED CONTENT

1️⃣ Introduction

Drone spraying technology is a modern precision agriculture method where unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used to apply pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, growth promoters, and micronutrients on crops.
It replaces or supports traditional methods like manual knapsack spraying and tractor-mounted boom sprayers.

This technology is rapidly growing in India, especially for crops like paddy, cotton, chilli, maize, sugarcane, and vegetables.

2️⃣ Types of Agricultural Spray Drones

🔹 Based on Structure

Quadcopter – 4 rotors (most common)

Hexacopter – 6 rotors (more stable, higher payload)

Octocopter – 8 rotors (commercial heavy-duty use)

🔹 Based on Payload Capacity

TypeSpray TankSmall5–10 litersMedium10–20 litersLarge20–30+ liters

3️⃣ Main Components of a Spray Drone

🚁 A. Flight System

Motors, propellers, ESCs

High-strength carbon fiber frame

Foldable arms for transport

📡 B. Navigation & Control

GPS / GNSS

RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) for centimeter accuracy

Flight controller (Pixhawk, DJI A3, etc.)

💦 C. Spraying System

Chemical tank

High-pressure pump

Flat-fan or centrifugal nozzles

Flow control valve

Droplet size control (micron-level)

🔋 D. Power System

Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries

Fast charging systems

Some use battery-swapping stations

🧠 E. Sensors & Safety

Obstacle avoidance sensors

Terrain-following radar

Wind speed compensation

Emergency auto-return

4️⃣ Working Principle (Step-by-Step)

Field Survey & Mapping

Drone maps the field using GPS or satellite images

Mission Planning

Area boundaries, altitude, spray rate, speed are set

Chemical Mixing

Chemicals diluted as per recommendation

Autonomous Flight

Drone flies automatically on fixed paths

Uniform Spraying

Controlled droplets ensure even coverage

Data Recording

Area sprayed, quantity used, time saved

5️⃣ Spray Parameters (Technical)

ParameterTypical ValueFlight height2–4 metersSpeed3–6 m/sDroplet size100–400 micronsCoverage1 acre in 5–10 minutesBattery time10–20 minutes

6️⃣ Advantages Over Traditional Spraying

✅ Economic Benefits

Saves 30–50% chemicals

Reduces labor costs

Faster operation

✅ Agronomic Benefits

Uniform spray coverage

Better pest control

Reduced crop damage

✅ Health & Safety

No direct chemical exposure

Reduced poisoning risk

✅ Operational Benefits

Works in muddy/wet fields

Reaches tall crops easily

Night spraying possible (with lights)

7️⃣ Limitations & Challenges

❌ High initial investment
❌ Battery life constraints
❌ Requires trained operator
❌ Wind affects spray accuracy
❌ Regulatory permissions needed

8️⃣ Drone Spraying in Indian Agriculture 🇮🇳

🌱 Government Support

Subsidies through SMAM, PMFBY, KVKs

Used by FPOs & Custom Hiring Centers

Promoted for “Drone Didi” programs

🌾 Crops Commonly Sprayed

Paddy (nuru madi & main field)

Cotton

Pulses

Vegetables

Sugarcane

Horticulture crops

9️⃣ Cost Analysis (Approx.)

ItemCost (₹)Spray drone6–15 lakhsBattery (each)40,000–70,000Training30,000–50,000Service per acre400–800

Many farmers hire drone services instead of buying.

🔮 10️⃣ Future of Drone Spraying

🚀 AI-based pest detection
🚀 Variable rate spraying
🚀 Swarm drones (multiple drones together)
🚀 Integration with weather & soil data
🚀 Fully autonomous farms

🧑‍🌾 Practical Example (Paddy Field)

Traditional spraying:
⏱️ 6–8 hours / acre
💦 200 liters water

Drone spraying:
⏱️ 10 minutes / acre
💦 10–15 liters water

📘 Conclusion

Drone spraying technology is revolutionizing agriculture by making farming:
✔ Smarter
✔ Safer
✔ Faster
✔ More profitable

For farmers like Venkatesh, it represents the bridge between traditional farming wisdom and modern innovation.