Shepherd drones or how drones optimize agriculture

In recent years, drones have become an integral part of everyday human life, functioning across a wide range of industries. Drone-based technologies enable the acquisition of information at a new level.

Drones are most commonly in high demand in logistics, video editing, equipment inspection, and forest security. However, agriculture remains the most sought-after field. We have examined the opportunities and prospects for drones in Kazakhstan.

In this article, you will learn:

• How drones have been adapted for agriculture in New Zealand;
• Where and by whom drones are used in Kazakhstan;
• How to cope with climate conditions and much more.

In New Zealand, drones have been adapted for agricultural use in such a way that new functions help farmers track livestock locations and monitor grass and water. Equipped with a loudspeaker, a drone can play the sound of a dog barking, thereby gathering the herd together. Farmers admit that this is very effective and convenient. Such new technologies save a significant amount of time and effort, especially during winter. In cold weather, people are often reluctant to leave the walls of their warm homes, making these "drone shepherds" an indispensable tool.

Kazakhstan has also not overlooked these innovations. There is a bright future for domestic farmers using drones in agriculture. Unmanned technologies will be able to function not only in field monitoring but also in pest control. Drones equipped with high-quality cameras are designed to fly over farm territories and provide agronomists with accurate data on the condition of their crops, potential problem areas, and early detection of locust swarms. In our country, drone manufacturing companies such as Adrome Automation are already flourishing. They have a partnership with Kazpost for delivering newspapers to their readers.

Meanwhile, in northern Kazakhstan, ultra-precise equipment in the form of unmanned aerial vehicles allows for close-range observation of wheat fields, determining the necessary amount of minerals to be added to the soil. This precision agriculture already enables management through digital technologies, paving the way for an innovative future.

Naturally, it should be noted that in windy and rainy weather, drone capabilities are limited, and the traditional method of shepherds and dogs comes into play. Speaking about the situation in Kazakhstan, our sharply continental climate does not always allow for the use of unmanned technologies. Harsh climate and frequent unpredictable weather can prevent drones from flying over the vast steppes of the country year-round. However, during the sowing season and calm winter days, they could play a key role in agriculture.

No one is in a hurry to completely replace human labor in agriculture, but drones still receive positive feedback from farmers, and soon we will be able to fully evaluate their capabilities.