Adoption of Drone-Based Precision Farming Technologies Among Paddy Farmers In Batticaloa District

Abstract

The research examines the adoption of drone-based precision farming arnong paddy fartners in Sri Lanka's Batticaloa District, where agriculture remains a key economic activity. Despite its importance, the sector faces persistent challenges such as labor shortages, rising input costs, and declinin-e productivity. The study sun'eyed 100 paddy farmers using structured questionnaires and applied statistical tools, including Chi-square tests. regression, correlation. and paired t-tests, to analyze the data. Findings revealed that 58% of farmers had adopted drone technology rnainly for pesticide and weedicide spraying. while overall awareness stood at 82%. The adoption of drones led to a notable reduction in average production costs (from Rs. 8,250 to Rs. 4,544.83) and a significant increase in yield (frorn 1"501.03 kg/acre to 1.612.93 kglacre). Key detenninants of adoption included education level, training, awareness, perception, confidence, and gender, with land size havin-e a positive irnpact and farming experience showing a slight negative effect. The study concludes that drone-based precision farmin-e improves effrciency, reduces input costs, and enhances fann profitability. However, u,idespread adoption is hindered by high equipment costs, liraited technical knowledge, and insufficient institutional support. The research recortmends that the -eovenrment and reievant authorities provide trainin-e programs, financial incentives, and awareness campaigns to promote the effective integration of drone technologies into paddy cultivation for a more sustainable and technology-oriented agricultural future in Sri Lanka.