IoT solution. The use of drones for observing, measuring and responding to inter and intra-field variability in crops. The goal is to define a decision support system for the whole farm management with the goal of optimizing returns on inputs while preserving resources. We are going to use the precision agriculture normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) drones in this solution. Benefits. The solutions will reduce on the overall operational costs due to reduced hassle of manned services. The use of NDVI maps is the key to boosting yields, cutting costs, and driving your business forward. It highlights exactly which areas of crop need closer examination meaning less time spent scouting, and more time treating the plants that need attention.

1. Internet of Things
The use of Drones in precision agriculture
A digital artifact by Erick M. Njuri

2. 2
IoT solution & benefits in agriculture
2
• The use of drones for observing, measuring and responding to
inter and intra-field variability in crops1.
• The goal is to define a decision support system for the whole
farm management with the goal of optimizing returns on inputs
while preserving resources.
• We are going to use the precision agriculture normalized
difference vegetation index2 (NDVI) drones in this solution.
IoT
solution
• The solutions will reduce on the overall operational costs due to
reduced hassle of manned services.
• The use of NDVI maps is the key to boosting yields, cutting costs,
and driving your business forward. It highlights exactly which
areas of crop need closer examination meaning less time spent
scouting, and more time treating the plants that need attention3
Benefits
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precision_agriculture
2 https://youtu.be/rxOMhQwApMc
3 https://youtu.be/xsm3bogEhYY

3. Technologies
Feature Requirement Comment
Network Area  Wide The area covered is wide and in an outdoor setup.
Spectrum  Shared
Shared spectrum will be suitable. The Quality of
service (timeliness) of transmission is not a crucial
factor.
Battery life  Short
Typically, drones have a automated landing sequence
where they return back whenever the battery is low.
They can then be replaced or recharged.
Connectivity
cost
 Medium
The connection cost will be moderate although it is
highly dependent on the country. This can also be
affected by the location of the farm because if the
farm is in a very remote place, the connection costs
may increase.
Module cost  Low
The module cost for this solution is expected to be
low.
Bandwidth  Low
Low bandwidth will be enough to cater for the data
being collected.
3https://www.gsmatraining.com/lessons/internet-things-session-5/

4. Technologies Cont...
Feature Requirement Comment
Connection
technologies
 Wi-Fi among
others i.e
Satellite and
Cellular (e.g
3G, 4G).
Drones can be remotely controlled through
the use of Wi-Fi technologies. Smart phones
are used to direct and monitor the drones. In
more advanced farming, satellite technology
can also be used. Smart farmers can access
the information through cellular technologies
from wherever they are.
4

5. Business models
Business models
Revenue of the
IoT company
Device
ownership
Revenue-sharing Recurring IoT company
Cost-savings sharing Recurring IoT company
Product-sharing Usage IoT company
Product-as-a-Service Recurring IoT company
Performance-as-a-Product Usage User
Transactional Upfront User
There are two possible business models for this application1
1. Product as a service – Here, the IoT company may offer the service without demanding
for an upfront charge and instead, the customer will be paying a monthly fee. This fee
will include both the rental charges and ongoing service support
2. Transactional – Here, the IoT company will charge upfront for the product. This is
because the cost of the solution is relatively cheap.
1 https://www.gsmatraining.com/lessons/internet-things-session-5/

6. Operational issues & policy topics
6
Operational considerations
• Drone flying away, going out of
control
• Interference with other flying objects
• Preparing for takeoff and landing, may
cause injury or destruction of property
• Verifying the Imagery and the data
that was collected.
Policy areas
• Privacy /threat of surveillance1
• Security
• Interference with the natural
ecosystem (see image below)
A flock of pigeons flies with a prototype
“parcelcopter” of German postal and logistics
group Deutsche Post DHL in Bonn December
9, 2013. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay
1 https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/

7. Image depicting two plants; left (healthy) and right (unhealthy) with
NDVI reflectance VI algorithm. Courtesy of NASA.
The end