Future of sustainable farming: exploring opportunities and overcoming barriers in drone-IoT integration

• Published in: Discover Sustainability
• Main Author: Khan S.; Mazhar T.; Shahzad T.; Khan M.A.; Guizani S.; Hamam H.
• Format: Review
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Nature 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85212466277&doi=10.1007%2fs43621-024-00736-y&partnerID=40&md5=796d5c6d4fa832b53c0af0af1db190ad

Sustainable agriculture is being transformed by drone-IoT integration, improving precision, efficiency, and sustainability. This study examines the pros and downsides of using various technologies to handle connectivity, data management, and power consumption issues. We assess existing integration methods, such as multispectral imaging, real-time IoT monitoring, and machine learning-driven predictive analytics, to gain actionable insights into soil health, crop conditions, and pest control. We also explore regulatory frameworks and technical constraints, including data security and affordability that prevent widespread use. Research shows that drone IoT solutions improve agricultural output, resource consumption, and farm efficiency, but cost and infrastructure hurdles limit availability, especially for smallholder farmers. These findings show that supporting regulatory frameworks and economical technology solutions are needed to increase adoption. Advances in agricultural autonomous decision-making could increase food security and sustainable farming worldwide. © The Author(s) 2024.