Drones in Farming Fields: Adoption Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture Among Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia

Drones have emerged as a promising tool for precision agriculture, enabling smallholder farmers to enhance crop management and reduce environmental impact. A qualitative approach was employed to gather insights from rural development experts and smallholder farmer groups, focusing on current challenges and potential benefits of integrating drones into crop monitoring and management. The analysis reveals a significant interest among Ethiopian smallholders for using drones for field mapping and targeted spraying applications, indicating a willingness to adopt new technologies for improved productivity and sustainability. Despite initial concerns about cost and technical proficiency, the findings suggest that supportive policies could facilitate wider adoption of drone technology in agriculture. Policymakers are encouraged to invest in infrastructure support and training programmes to assist smallholder farmers in leveraging drone technology effectively for sustainable farming practices.