DIGITALIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND THROUGH UAV–GIS TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONTEXT OF AGRICULTURE 5.0

Abstract

In the context of global challenges related to agricultural sustainability and resource-use efficiency, 3D mapping technologies based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become essential tools for planning precision agricultural operations. This article examines the potential of UAV platforms equipped with photogrammetric and LiDAR sensors to generate Digital Terrain Models (DTM) and Digital Elevation Models (DEM), which have direct applications in optimizing irrigation, drainage, land-leveling, and variable-rate seeding systems. The study highlights the role of integrating these 3D models into Geographic Information Systems (GIS), enabling advanced spatial analysis and data-driven decision-making. Through concrete examples of UAV–GIS workflows, the advantages of interoperability between digital platforms and modern agricultural machinery are emphasized.
Furthermore, the article positions this technology within the transition from Agriculture 4.0—focused on automation and data acquisition—to Agriculture 5.0, an emerging paradigm that leverages artificial intelligence, human–machine collaboration, and ecological sustainability. In this context, 3D mapping contributes to the development of intelligent, resilient, and forward-looking agriculture, where decisions are guided by high-resolution geospatial data. Finally, the paper provides a critical assessment of the benefits, limitations, and challenges associated with the large-scale adoption of these technologies, proposing future research directions and implementation models tailored to both Romanian and international agricultural contexts.