AUTONOMOUS ARGO-FERTILIZER DISPENSING DRONE WITH LIGHT WEIGHT FRAME

Abstract

An agricultural drone is a specialized type of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipped with Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) capability, making it highly suitable for precision farming applications. According to global health reports, millions of pesticide poisoning cases occur every year, with a significant number of fatalities recorded, especially in developing countries where manual spraying is widely practiced. Farmers are frequently exposed to hazardous chemicals during pesticide handling and spraying, leading to serious health problems such as respiratory illnesses, skin and eye irritation, allergic reactions, hormonal imbalance, reproductive disorders, neurological complications, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Even prolonged exposure to small quantities of agricultural chemicals can negatively affect the nervous system, resulting in reduced coordination, slower reflexes, impaired vision, mood disturbances, and behavioral changes. To overcome these challenges, agricultural spraying drones provide a safer, faster, and more efficient alternative by minimizing direct human contact with harmful chemicals while improving spraying accuracy and reducing labor requirements. This project focuses on the design and development of a lightweight aluminum-frame quadcopter capable of carrying and spraying liquid fertilizers or pesticides over agricultural fields. It also presents the structural design considerations, payload distribution, and the development of an efficient spraying mechanism integrated with the quadcopter platform. The proposed system aims to enhance agricultural productivity, reduce operational costs, improve farmer safety, and promote sustainable farming practices through the adoption of modern drone technology.