Design Optimization and Cost Benefit Analysis of an Experimental UAV Based Spraying System

The recent liberalization of Drone Rules 2021, alongside 120 Rs. crore investment in domestic manufacturing for the next three years, is setting India on the path to becoming a global drone hub by 2030. Research shows that UAVs equipped with spraying mechanisms allow precise, targeted applications. This paper presents “Krishi PS-1925” an advanced UAV platform for crop protection, developed at the Indian Institute of Information Technology Allahabad, India. The platform has been rigorously tested in the field for performance and endurance, with its cost, efficiency, and reliability compared to traditional spraying methods. A survey in 70 villages in Ghazipur District, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, highlighted major crop protection challenges. Findings show that the UAV-based approach significantly outperforms conventional methods in time efficiency, area coverage, capacity, cost-effectiveness, and spray accuracy. This study lays the groundwork for creating standards and regulatory protocols for aerial agrochemical applications in India.