EXPLORING THE USE OF AGRICULTURAL DRONES IN HUNGARY, THROUGH EXPERT INTERVIEWS

VLASKALITY, SÁRA DÓRA – LENCSÉS, ENIKŐ – ZALAI, MIHÁLY

Keywords: Keywords: precision farming, site-specific crop protection, unmanned aerial vehicles, agricultural innovation JEL codes: Q14, Q16, Q55

Teljes cikk The topic of the economic and environmental benefits arising from the use of agricultural drones, as well as their limitations, is currently highly pertinent. This study, drawing on existing literature, summarizes the risk factors that typically cause significant problems in agriculture and their underlying causes. It also explores how these factors manifest depending on the choice of field crop production technology. According to the literature, some risk factors have been found to be mitigated by the application of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), while others have been exacerbated. To support the results derived from the literature review, expert interviews were conducted with three different expert groups.
The main research question of this study is what limitations representatives of the agricultural sector see in the applicability of drones in agriculture, and under what conditions and tasks they believe agricultural drones can be effectively used, as well as what changes they anticipate regarding the future of the technology. Another important aspect was to determine whether the investment in purchasing drones is considered profitable based on the opinions of experts. To address these questions, three expert groups were involved in this research to gather diverse perspectives from different approaches. The interviewed expert groups included plant protection or plant health specialists, drone pilots, and experienced farmers. Four individuals were interviewed from each expert group. The responses were evaluated using qualitative statistical methods.
In many cases, the experts confirmed the roles of risk factors identified in the literature, which vary depending on the drone technology. All interviewees are aware of the limitations of agricultural drones; nevertheless, they maintain a positive attitude towards the usability and future of agricultural drones. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53079/GAZDALKODAS.69.1.t.pp_35-49