The study was conducted in 2023-24 in KVK operational area of Nandyal district with an objective of visualizing strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats in the use of drone technology in agriculture. The purpose of the study is to comprehend SWOT analysis and determine the best entry tactics for the sustainability of drone technology in agriculture by using TOWS matrix. Data was collected from 120 farmers those farms were covered under drone spraying more than twice under agriculture drone project, with pre-designed questionnaire. Opinions translated as coefficient and rating was given for the same by using Internal Factor Evaluation and External factor Evaluation matrices for evaluating the drone technology to reveal its strengths as well as weaknesses along with opportunities and threats. The internal and external factor (I-E) matrix tool is used to summarize the information gained from drone’s external and internal environment analyses. The results found that the average for IFE and EFE score was 2.50 and 2.62, respectively, which reflects that opportunities and threats are more than strength and weakness of the drone technology in agriculture. It is more effective and easy in tall and dense crops i.e. Maize, Jowar, Red gram and Paddy. Less availability of spare parts, poor repair and maintenance services was founded as weaknesses of the technology.

Highlights

• I-E Matrix concluded that, technology was obtained in cell “V”, suggesting that the hold and maintains strategy should be applied.
• It indicates that at present, drone spraying is profitable for both users and operators; there is still scope to improve operator service centers, enhance drone availability, and reduction of drone spraying operating costs, which results greater adoptability of the technology.
• Provided strategies with TOWS Matrix, which could improve efficiency to minimize threats and take advantage of opportunities in external environment of drone in agriculture.