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Applications of drone technology in the agricultural industry worldwide and in Africa: bibliographic review

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Laboratoire des Procédés et Innovations Technologiques de Lokossa, INSTI/UNSTIM, Bénin
  • 2Laboratoire des Procédés et Innovations Technologiques de Lokossa, INSTI/UNSTIM, Bénin
  • 3Laboratoire des Procédés et Innovations Technologiques de Lokossa, INSTI/UNSTIM, Bénin

Res. J. Agriculture & Forestry Sci., Volume 13, Issue (4), Pages 17-29, October,8 (2025)

Abstract

With technological and technical developments, research on drones is intensifying more, and practical applications in many fields of human activity, especially in agriculture, have become more extensive. Currently, drone technology has matured, and drones are creating a new industrial revolution. It is estimated that the financial gains from the use of drones or UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) in the agricultural sector will reach billions of dollars in the coming years. But the African continent is struggling to integrate into this process to take its share of this economic windfall that is developing. As farmers in the Global South struggle to adapt to climate change and other challenges, drones are expected to help all agricultural businesses and improve their efficiency and productivity. The objective of this work is to present the technology of drones on architectural, structural and conceptual level applied to sustainable and efficient agriculture and to emphasize the advantages of their uses in Africa and Benin. Also, operating principles coupled with a functional study of the technology of these unmanned vehicles are developed. Different applications of UAVs in the agricultural industry and their limitations are exposed. This work is part of a view to designing, sizing and producing drones for agricultural use within the limits of aviation safety and security regulations in Benin.

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