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Plant Science Today (PST)

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Early Access

Exploring the impact of drone technology on agricultural practices: A bibliometric review

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.10165
Submitted
20 June 2025
Published
26-08-2025
Versions

Abstract

Drone technology has emerged as a transformative tool in agriculture, yet its overall impact lacks a thorough bibliometric evaluation. The study offers a detailed analysis of its applications, advantages and the challenges faced in agricultural practices. Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have become essential tools in precision agriculture, enabling real-time monitoring, diseases identification, yields estimation and the precise application of fertilizers and pesticides. By integrating advanced imaging technologies and machine learning, drones enhance decision-making and optimize resource utilization in farming operations. This research employs a bibliometric approach using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer to analyze 375 articles from the Scopus database (2011–2025),
identifying key research trends, influential authors and thematic clusters. The findings reveal a significant rise in agricultural drone research, particularly after 2019, driven by technology innovations and a global shift toward sustainable farming practices. Despite their potential, several barriers hinder widespread adoption-especially in developing countries. These include limited awareness among small-scale farmers, regulatory restrictions, infrastructural deficiencies, high initial costs and a shortage of skilled personnel. The review also highlights research gaps in long-term impact assessments, ethical considerations and integration with emerging technologies such as blockchain and the internet of things (IoT). To fully realize the transformative potential of drones in global agriculture, the article concludes by emphasizing the need for inclusive, context-specific solutions, enabling legislation and international collaboration.

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