Unleashing the potential of UAVs in agriculture: ASEAN and Thailand’s rice production industry improvements: Review article

Agriculture is vital for economic sustainability and structural transformation in ASEAN. This paper explores the agricultural landscape in ASEAN, focusing on Thailand as a prominent rice producer. Challenges such as rural-urban migration, the ageing population employed in agriculture, and need to implement innovative solutions to strengthen regional food security are discussed. The primary focus is the innovative use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in ASEAN agriculture. UAVs revolutionize data collection through aerial photography, providing real-time insights into terrain, vegetation health, and soil composition. They enable informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and streamline processes, resulting in cost savings. Equipped with sensors, UAVs precisely monitor crop health, irrigation efficiency, and early pest detection. Integration of advanced software and geographical information systems enhances data analysis and visualization. UAVs facilitate high-resolution mapping, offering detailed information on crop density, weed infestation, and disease outbreaks. This enables targeted interventions, reducing input costs and optimizing resource allocation. Multispectral or hyperspectral sensors provide insights into plant health, chlorophyll content, and water stress, enabling site-specific management strategies for improved sustainability. UAVs are affordable, versatile, and continuously advancing. They can potentially improve productivity, efficiency, and resource management in agriculture. In rice production, UAVs offer benefits like crop monitoring, precise spraying, and uniform seed spreading. They provide real-time information on crop health and pest infestations, enabling optimized management. Spray drones accurately apply pesticides, while seed-spreading drones enhance crop growth and save costs. UAV drones offer significant advantages in ASEAN agriculture, addressing workforce challenges and enhancing productivity. Supportive measures will lead to efficient UAV integration, enhancing sustainability and farmer livelihoods.