Advancements and trends in UAV utilization for crop protection: a bibliometric analysis

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, have become pivotal tools in precision agriculture, particularly for aerial spraying and crop health monitoring. Their adoption addresses farmers' health issues related to manual pesticide exposure and ensures the timely execution of crop protection activities. This paper presents a systematic investigation and comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on UAV utilization in crop protection, spanning from 2007 to 2024. Using Scopus data analyzed with Bibliometrix and VOSviewer, the study identified 439 relevant documents to reveal key research trends and influential collaboration networks. The analysis confirms a marked increase in research output, with China and the USA leading globally in terms of publication volume and citation impact. Core research themes centre on integrating advanced technologies, such as remote sensing, deep learning and artificial intelligence, to enhance the precision of applications. The findings underscore the potential of UAVs as an efficient, safer, and more sustainable alternative to conventional methods. However, challenges specific to the Indian agricultural context, such as small landholdings and high initial costs, are highlighted, offering valuable insights for other developing agrarian economies.