In the face of increasing water scarcity, escalating land degradation, and the proliferation of pests and plant diseases, unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, are gaining popularity as valuable tools in agriculture.

The agriculture drone market, valued at $864 million in 2016, has experienced a fivefold surge to reach $4.2 billion by 2022. As of this year, agriculture constitutes nearly 11% of the drone market, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 20% by 2030.

Presently in Uzbekistan, the technical equipment level in various agricultural sectors varies: 90% in cotton and grain growing, 45% in vegetable and melon growing, 48% in cattle breeding, and 36% in horticulture and viticulture. The country possesses over 267 thousand units of agricultural machinery, of which 38% are outdated, having been in operation for over 15 years. Notably, drones are scarcely utilized for agricultural purposes.

Why the demand for drones is increasing?

Experts assert that the escalating demand for drones in agriculture stems from their pivotal role in:

• significantly reducing the expenses associated with mineral fertilizers and pest and disease control;

• conserving water resources;

• enhancing productivity and yields.

Firstly, drones facilitate data collection on crop conditions through multispectral imaging, enabling precise identification of fertilizer needs, pest infestations, and bacterial and viral plant diseases. Drones can pinpoint pest and weed-infested areas with 95% accuracy, allowing targeted treatment, thus reducing the usage of pesticides and fertilizers by 30%.

Research indicates that the adoption of drones can lead to a substantial 40% reduction in pesticide and fertilizer costs for farmers, with savings reaching 60%-70% in India. Multispectral imaging, employing artificial intelligence and machine learning, simultaneously captures multiple images of the same area in various electromagnetic radiation zones.

Secondly, drones contribute to efficient water resource management by timely detection of water shortages and surpluses. They analyze crop and soil conditions, assess moisture levels, air temperature, and accurately calculate the required water quantity for plants. In Qatar, drone use resulted in a 30% reduction in agricultural water consumption, and in Mozambique, water use efficiency improved by 55%.

Thirdly, drones significantly enhance labor productivity, reducing the time spent monitoring farmland by a factor of 10. Remotely controlled devices expedite chemical spraying, minimizing the time needed for farmland treatment and reducing human exposure to harmful substances. These factors collectively lead to increased agricultural yields, with examples such as a 41% improvement in Mozambique and a 20% increase in Saudi Arabia.

Indian model

India stands out as a leader in the widespread adoption of drones in agriculture, with the potential to boost the country's GDP by 1.5% ($51 billion) by 2026 and create over 500,000 new jobs.

Key features of the Indian model for drone adoption in agribusiness include:

1) Incentives for technology adoption

The government provides 100% subsidies for the purchase of drones by government departments and 40% financial assistance for drone leasing to farmers. Women farmers and those in less developed regions receive 50% financial assistance for individual drone purchases. But all of them have limited funding.

2) Liberalization of drone legislation

The government has simplified certification processes for agricultural drones, allowing their use for various purposes, including chemical spraying, fertilizing, and land monitoring through photos and videos.

3) Farmer training programs

Mass training courses have been initiated nationwide to educate farmers on drone technologies.

4) Drone rental opportunities

Initiatives like the EM3 application in India enable farmers to rent drones, providing a source of additional income.

A drone rental application has been developed in China. Established in Beijing in early 2016, Farm Friend serves as a platform facilitating the rental of drones by farmers for agricultural purposes. While Farm Friend does not own drones dedicated to agriculture, it effectively deploys over 5,000 drones, covering an extensive expanse of more than 60,000 hectares across ten provinces in China. Farmers utilizing the application input specific details, including the preferred date and time, crop designation, desired fertilizer or pesticide, farmland acreage, location, and contact information. The platform then autonomously matches these requests with the nearest available drone service providers. Subsequently, drone operators receive pertinent order details, schedule their work accordingly, and receive payment upon successful completion of the assigned tasks. Users also have the opportunity to provide feedback through the program, fostering a comprehensive and efficient system for both farmers and drone operators. Similar platforms, such as Farm Friend in China, connect drone owners with farmers for pesticide and fertilizer spraying services, enhancing efficiency across vast agricultural areas.

Case study: Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan currently possesses ample opportunities to harness drones in addressing the challenges associated with the digitalization of agriculture, reducing fertilizer and chemical costs, and enhancing water management efficiency. The Jizzakh Organic cluster in the Jizzakh region exemplifies successful drone utilization in Uzbekistan's agriculture.

The drones employed by this enterprise detect anomalies in plant growth and development, apply fertilizers, and monitor irrigation uniformity. These aerial devices promptly furnish Jizzakh Organic specialists with comprehensive information on crop quality, damages, or crop mortality. The first prototype, the Great Shark 330VTOL model from the Chinese company FOXTECH, arrived in Uzbekistan in November 2020. This equipment can magnify images thirty times, includes a night monitoring mode, has a maximum takeoff weight of 21 kg, and can stay airborne for 2.5 hours, reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h.

The challenges associated with the widespread adoption of drones.

Despite the numerous advantages that drones offer, their widespread integration in Uzbekistan faces challenges due to several reasons, including:

Currently, drone importation and usage in Uzbekistan are regulated by the Air Code and Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Regulations include the basic rules for flights in the skies of Uzbekistan, which were approved on October 18, 2016, and also detailed additional measures to regulate unmanned aerial vehicle usage in Uzbekistan, dated November 15, 2022. On January 14, 2020, regulations were approved to establish restrictions on cartographic and geodetic data, create maps for open use, issue and record confidential materials, and maintain state secrets in the field of geodesy and cartography.

For alternative uses, licenses for the import, sale, purchase, storage, and utilization of drones, along with their components and spare parts, may be granted to pertinent ministries, departments, and organizations based on a resolution from the Cabinet of Ministers.

Moreover, clearance for conducting aerial photography within the Republic of Uzbekistan's territory will be exclusively granted by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, but strictly for a specified timeframe and designated area. In such instances, the application for authorization must be accompanied by a detailed flight plan outlining the route and altitude of the drone before each flight.

Comparatively, Russia allows the import of drones weighing up to 250 grams without registration, with models weighing from 250 g to 30 kg subject to registration. The U.S. permits the use of drones weighing up to 250 grams without registration, while models from 250 g to 25 kg can be registered online for a fee.

Furthermore, it is imperative that the primary data derived from aerial photographs undergoes a thorough verification of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Secondly, limited expertise and skills in drone utilization among clusters and farms. Many lack awareness of drones' potential in agricultural tasks, and scientific and educational institutions are not actively researching or providing education in this domain.

Thirdly, absence of a government incentive system to encourage drone adoption for agricultural purposes.

Recommendations

Recommendations for the utilization of drones in agriculture include:

• Drawing insights from the experiences of India, China, and Qatar.

• Providing support to farmers in adopting advanced drone technologies.

• Conducting courses to enhance practical knowledge of drone use, in collaboration with prominent foreign manufacturers and universities.

• Proposing amendments to national legislation to streamline the import, use, and oversight of drone-generated aerial photography materials in agriculture.

• Establishing a platform for the rental and shared use of drones.

• Formulating measures to incentivize the incorporation of drones in agriculture by both governmental organizations and private farms.

• Initiating educational programs and seminars to train farmers and agricultural workers in the proficient utilization and maintenance of drones.

In essence, the incorporation of drones into agriculture can substantially aid in achieving predetermined operational goals for clusters, farmers, and other entities in the industry. This integration fosters growth and productivity within the agricultural sector. The Center for Progressive Reforms advocates for the implementation of relevant legal and organizational measures to support this integration.