The Next Farming Frontier

Farmers today face mounting pressures, from persistent labor shortages to the growing impacts of climate change. With demand for higher yields and fewer inputs intensifying, many in agriculture are turning to technology as a critical tool for resilience and efficiency.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a gadget. When paired with agricultural drones, it is proving to be a transformative force, shifting farming from reactive to predictive. Large-scale operations and technology providers are leading this movement, demonstrating how drones can be used to their full advantage.

Labor availability has thrown a wrench into some operations, notes Roberto Villalobos Slon, agriculture manager at Dole Hawaii.

“Pineapple operations in Hawaii have been forced to downsize. This trend has pushed us to look for more efficient ways of farm management, where new technology plays a critical role,” Villalobos Slon said.

“As part of these efforts, precision agriculture has been the way to go, and drones have become a key factor in this strategy, considering their broad range of agricultural applications.”

While large growers such as Dole are adopting drones as part of their precision agriculture strategy, cost and technical expertise can be barriers for many operations. To address this, ZenaTech’s subsidiary, ZenaDrone, offers drones-as-a-service (DaaS), giving farmers access through subscription or pay-per-use models. The company specializes in multifunctional, autonomous AI drones. By using DaaS, farmers avoid the high upfront costs of hardware, the need to hire pilots or the burden of regulatory certifications.

Simon Henry, vice president of business development at ZenaDrone, explained the company’s outlook on ag drones: “The expansion of ZenaTech’s DaaS services into agriculture was driven by a mix of macro trends (climate, digitalization, costs) and specific farmer needs (efficiency, early problem detection, compliance). Together, these forces transformed drones from a novelty into an essential agricultural tool.”

Put it to Use

Ag drones can benefit operations of all sizes, adapting to specific needs. Most models offer aerial imaging and mapping for high-resolution field views, multispectral and thermal sensing to detect crop stress, precision spraying for targeted inputs and advanced AI functions such as data processing, predictive analytics and autonomous flight planning.

According to Henry, “Drones act as the high-resolution intelligence layer in the precision agriculture stack, bridging satellites, sensors and farm management software into one seamless decision-making system.”

Multispectral imagery allows AI to detect nutrient deficiencies, disease or pest damage early, providing precise recommendations before issues escalate. Thermal sensors aid irrigation management by assessing soil moisture levels, which AI integrates into optimized watering schedules to conserve water.

Targeted spraying further reduces costs and environmental impacts by applying inputs only where needed. AI enhances efficiency by ensuring accuracy. Machine learning models also enable yield prediction by analyzing plant growth patterns over time, giving farmers better planning and marketing strategies.

Livestock producers benefit as well. Drones can survey fencing, irrigation systems and grazing areas, even in tough terrain. AI then detects anomalies, from broken fences to irregular herd movement, helping ensure smooth operations.

“Drones have become easier to operate as new breakthroughs have been incorporated in the devices,” Villalobos Slon adds. “They have proven to perform well in most conditions and Hawaii is not an exception.”

Reaping the Rewards

As farmers adopt drone technology, the benefits quickly become clear. Beyond boosting productivity and cutting costs, ag drones promote sustainability and enable faster, data-driven decision-making.

Sustainability in agriculture is no longer optional; it’s a necessity. Ag drones paired with AI are making farming more precise, efficient and environmentally responsible. By reducing chemical inputs, conserving water and supporting long-term soil health, the technology is directly contributing to climate goals.

Resource efficiency remains a standout advantage. Advanced sensors allow precision spraying, reducing herbicide, pesticide and fertilizer use. AI-driven irrigation management, guided by moisture mapping, prevents overwatering, conserves groundwater and reduces energy costs for pumping.

“Sustainability is a core pillar of Dole’s growing operations globally and a factor always considered at the top,” Villalobos Slon emphasized. “Drone mapping allows GPS-tractors to more accurately apply crop protection products where needed.”

Soil health also benefits. Drones can spot early signs of erosion, compaction or nutrient depletion, giving farmers the chance to intervene. AI insights then guide regenerative practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage and rotation strategies that preserve topsoil and strengthen resilience.

According to Henry, “Drones and AI make it possible to produce more with less, shifting agriculture from a resource-intensive model to a data-driven, sustainable model.”

Drones also play a role in climate-smart agriculture. They can support carbon sequestration practices by analyzing biomass growth for potential carbon credit verification. Predictive analytics help growers adjust planting and irrigation in response to changing weather, building climate resilience.

Perhaps most importantly, drones enable faster, real-time decisions. AI alerts farmers to emerging problems within hours, rather than weeks, preventing localized issues from spreading into field-wide losses. Real-time insights into irrigation or fertilization give farmers the confidence to conserve inputs while protecting yields.

Henry adds, “Real-time data is where drones plus AI move from being ‘nice-to-have’ to game-changing. Traditionally, farmers relied on manual scouting, lab tests or satellite imagery that often came days or weeks too late.”

By enabling proactive farming, drones and AI are creating a loop of monitoring, deciding, acting and validating. Instead of waiting for visible damage or yield drops, farmers can intervene daily, leading to healthier crops, stronger yields and fewer surprises.

Where They’re Headed

As drones continue to prove their value in precision agriculture, the focus is shifting toward wider accessibility and seamless integration into farm operations. The future is less about drones being used once a season and more about embedding them as everyday infrastructure.

Powered by AI, drones are moving beyond monitoring into prediction and decision-making. Rather than just capturing images, they will analyze patterns, recommend solutions and even trigger autonomous responses in real time. This synergy positions drones as the intelligence layer in connected farm ecosystems, working with sensors, irrigation systems, smart machinery and farm management software. The result is a continuous cycle of monitoring, analysis and action, creating proactive, closed-loop farming.

According to Villalobos Slon, over the next few years, “drones will make specific spray applications even more precise, providing more detailed feedback about crop health and nutrition. We would expect to see self-driving tractors and other vehicles in the farms, robots performing hand weeding, large-scale automated irrigation systems, all making farming thrive for both growers and consumers.”

Currently, drones are most common in large-scale operations. But as they become smaller, cheaper and more AI-driven, adoption may spread to smallholders and developing regions. This could reduce the technology gap and improve global food security.

According to Henry, extended drone use may even lead to a fully data-driven food supply chain. Agribusinesses could forecast logistics and processing more accurately, retailers could verify traceability and consumers could trust food labeled with sustainability credentials.

Wherever the future takes ag drones, they have already become a present reality in agriculture. Their role is not to replace farmers and producers, but to strengthen and support them as they navigate mounting global challenges. By equipping users with confidence, efficiency and resilience, this technology empowers agriculture not only to persist, but to thrive in the years ahead.