A Tool to Measure Farmers’ Training Needs in Drone-based Technologies: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

In the face of growing challenges in modern agriculture, such as climate change, sustainable resource management, and food security, drones are emerging as essential tools for transforming precision agriculture.  Sustainable agriculture is being transformed by drone-IoT integration, improving precision, efficiency, and sustainability. Drones are remote controlled aircraft with no human pilot on-board. These have a huge potential in agriculture in supporting evidence-based planning and in spatial data collection. Despite some inherent limitations, these tools and technologies can provide valuable data that can then be used to influence policies and decisions. The integration of drone-based technologies in agriculture presents significant potential to revolutionize precision farming. However, the adoption rate among small and marginal farmers remains limited due to gaps in knowledge, awareness, and access to appropriate training. This review synthesizes existing literature and proposes a structured framework to assess farmers’ training needs using a validated tool. Emphasizing the importance of the Training Needs Assessment (TNA) model, the paper thoroughly explores critical competency areas essential for effective modern agricultural practices. These domains include drone operation, which ensures precision in farming; GPS navigation, vital for accurate field mapping and planning; pest management, necessary for sustainable crop protection; regulatory compliance, ensuring adherence to legal and safety standards; and digital literacy, which empowers farmers to efficiently utilize emerging technologies. The findings aim to support the development of targeted training programs to bridge the digital divide in Indian agriculture.