Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (MJSA)

Indian agriculture, the cornerstone of the nation’s economy; is increasingly constrained by decliningproductivity, labor shortages, and the impacts of climate change. Traditional, labor-intensive farmingmethods, particularly in staple crops like paddy, limit scalability and economic efficiency. This studyinvestigates the transformative potential of drone technology (unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs) in modernagriculture by comparing its adoption to conventional practices. Focusing on a sample of 100 UAV-adoptingfarmers and 140 conventional farmers in West Bengal, the research highlights significant economic andoperational advantages. Results indicate that UAV-assisted farming increases economic efficiency byapproximately 88%, reduces cultivation costs by about 32%, and enhances farmer incomes by 41–45%.These improvements are attributed to precise resource management, reduced wastage, and targeted interventions, which optimize the application of water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Despite these benefits, barriers such as high initial costs, lack of technical expertise, and regulatory challenges hinder widespread adoption, particularly among smallholders. This study bridges a critical research gap by providing a detailed economic analysis of UAV adoption in Indian agriculture. It underscores the need for targeted policy interventions, including subsidies, training programs, and technology access initiatives, to unlock the full potential of UAVs and promote sustainable agricultural practices.