Dr Hassan Mehmood
The agricultural sector, often considered the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, faces severe challenges as it moves into an era of increased demand and climate-induced unpredictability. With agriculture contributing roughly 23% of Pakistan’s GDP and employing nearly 37.4% of its labor force, innovation is essential to prevent stagnation and drive productivity gains. One significant innovation with the potential to revolutionize the agricultural sector in Pakistan is the use of agricultural drones, which aid in both surveying and the application of agrochemicals, addressing some of the most pressing challenges faced today.
The Economic Survey of Pakistan 2022-2023 reveals several key issues hindering agricultural productivity and sustainability. From rising input costs, declining soil fertility, inefficient water usage, and limited mechanization, the sector faces significant pressure to modernize. Among these, water scarcity and soil degradation due to overuse and inefficient chemical applications are paramount. With 72% of Pakistan’s water resources dedicated to agriculture and 80% of these resources going to inefficient irrigation methods, optimizing resource use is critical. Similarly, the lack of precision in agrochemical application has led to soil nutrient depletion and environmental pollution.
The use of drones in agriculture offers a transformative approach to address these challenges. The global trend of “precision agriculture,” which uses data and technology to increase crop yields while minimizing waste, aligns well with Pakistan’s need to improve agricultural efficiency. Agricultural drones can conduct two main functions: surveying and agrochemical application.
One of the most critical aspects of sustainable agriculture is knowing the land and crop health accurately. Agricultural drones, equipped with advanced sensors and cameras, can capture multispectral images of fields. This enables farmers to identify areas that require more attention, such as nutrient deficiencies, water stress, and pest infestations.
The Economic Survey of Pakistan noted that despite agriculture’s large share in the economy, crop yields are consistently low compared to global standards. Drones offer a clear, data-driven path to addressing this yield gap by providing real-time, actionable information. For example, the survey highlighted wheat yield of 2.9 tons per hectare, significantly below the global average of 3.5 tons. Drones could identify yield-reducing factors early, allowing timely interventions to improve these figures.
Another critical benefit of agricultural drones is their ability to apply pesticides and fertilizers with high precision. Traditionally, farmers apply these chemicals indiscriminately across their fields, leading to wastage and environmental harm. Agricultural drones can release controlled amounts of agrochemicals only where needed, which optimizes input costs, protects beneficial insects, and prevents runoff into water bodies. For example, it’s estimated that precision application through drones can reduce chemical use by up to 30%, a significant cost-saving given the rising prices of agrochemical inputs reported in recent surveys.
This precision is particularly advantageous for Pakistan, where rising input costs are a significant concern. Fertilizer prices alone have surged over the last five years, pushing up costs for farmers who can least afford them. In addition, targeted spraying by drones minimizes human exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, a public health consideration often overlooked.
While agricultural drones offer promising solutions, several barriers hinder their widespread adoption in Pakistan. These include high costs of drones, limited expertise among local farmers, and regulatory challenges. However, if addressed through subsidies, training programs, and favorable policies, drones could have a profound impact on the sector’s productivity and environmental footprint. The government and private sectors need to invest in drone technology infrastructure, especially considering that over 90% of farmers in Pakistan are smallholders with limited resources to invest in such technology independently.
The implementation of agricultural drones could be a critical step towards modernizing Pakistan’s agriculture sector, enabling it to meet both current and future challenges. Drones’ capabilities for precision surveying and targeted chemical application offer a route to sustainable intensification—boosting crop yields without depleting resources. As Pakistan continues to grapple with climate change, resource scarcity, and economic pressures, agricultural drones present a pathway to a more efficient, productive, and sustainable agricultural future.
— The writer is Ph D in Agriculture Soil Science. He is Head of Sales at Alkaram Farm Technologies (Private) Limited – A company of Alkaram Group
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Lahore Mirror
