Experts point out that agriculture is the biggest commercial market for drones, according to MSN News.
According to the report, drone technology fits perfectly for large farms and massive rural areas. The report shows that farmers, researchers and companies are already developing unmanned drones complete with cameras, equipment and survey censors to monitor crop diseases or spray fertilizers and pesticides.
Also known as Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs), drones are already being used in agricultural areas in countries such as Brazil and Japan.
"It's a great tool to collect information to make better decisions, and we're just scratching the surface of what it can do for farmers," Robert Blair, a farmer who lives in Kendrick, Idaho, roughly 275 miles north of Boise. He uses a home-made drone to scout his farm of 1,500 acres of wheat, peas and alfalfa.
Currently, drones are mainly used by the military, but farmers say its impact on agriculture is endless. Farmers believe drones can help boost crop health, improve farm management, reduce costs and increase farm yields.
However, many also see that drone usage in agriculture is still limited. Drones used for commercial activities are covered by regulations on airspace use and privacy concerns. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restricts drones' commercial use.
According to the FAA, businesses and researchers can apply for drone use, but with limitations such as airworthiness certificate for research and development, flight demonstrations or crew training.
What the FAA does allow to operate are public agencies, which include law enforcement and other government agencies. They can get a certificate of authorization to operate unmanned aircraft in civil airspace. These include sheriff's offices, police and fire departments, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Government use of drones has raised concerns about privacy and government surveillance. It lead drone privacy bills that are introduced in most states in 2013, while quite a number of states have passed laws mostly to limit drone surveillance by law enforcement, the report said.
The move has raised concerns about privacy and government surveillance, leading to drone privacy bills being introduced in most states this year and about a dozen states passing laws, most to limit drone surveillance by law enforcement.
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