Mezőgazdasági drónok alkalmazásának lehetőségei magyar szakértők véleményének feltérképezésével

The topic of economic and environmental benefits and their limitations arising from the use of agricultural drones is very topical these days. Based on the literature on this topic, this study summarizes the risk factors that generally cause serious problems in agriculture and their background. It also maps out how these factors manifest themselves depending on the choice of arable crop production technology. Based on the literature sources, some risk factors have proven to be remediable through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), while others have manifested themselves in an exponential manner. In order to support the results drawn from the literature analysis, 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 agricultural applicability of drones, and what they think, under what circumstances and for what tasks an agricultural drone can be used effectively, and what changes they expect regarding the future of the technology. Another important aspect was to determine whether the investment in purchasing drones would be profitable based on the opinions of experts. In order to determine these questions, three expert groups were involved in this research in order to obtain heterogeneous opinions with different approaches. These expert groups interviewed were plant protection or plant medicine specialists, drone pilots, and experienced farmers. The interview was conducted with four people per expert group. The responses received were evaluated using qualitative statistical methods. In many cases, the experts supported the role of risk factors revealed in the literature, which appear differently depending on the technology. All interviewees are aware of the limitations of agricultural drones, but regardless of this, they are still positive about the usability of agricultural drones and their future. Most of the experts interviewed are also open to the use of spraying drones in the future.