Field-tested drone spraying system for precision agricultural applications in Sri Lanka: a case study in paddy fields

Abstract

The study addresses a pressing need of mechanizing and improving the selective chemical spraying process in the agricultural sector in developing countries which is essential for ensuring the food security while maintaining economic efficiency and health of the farmers and consumers. Reducing the manual chemical spraying has become very important in Sri Lanka due to overreliance of pesticides, weedicides, and inorganic fertilizers that has caused severe health and economic impact. Even though there are advanced technologies already developed for such requirements, developing nations like Sri Lanka face challenges in adopting such technologies due to factors like cost and technical knowledge, prompting the development and field testing of a low-cost semi-automated selective chemical spraying mechanism using drones. The project integrates GPS technology for area identification for farmer-friendly coordination. Design considerations for the drone and spraying mechanism are detailed, emphasizing payload capacity, component selection, and structural materials. Validation of optimum design specifications through field testing confirms the efficacy of the developed drone in terms of GPS accuracy, altitude optimization, and spraying performance. Results indicate the feasibility and practicality of the semi-automated drone solution for agricultural needs in Sri Lanka, offering a cost-effective and efficient alternative to manual and fully automated methods.