Challenges of drone development in Iran's agricultural sector: The application of the TOWS analysis

Given the increasing adoption of modern technologies in agriculture and the challenges associated with the acceptance and development of drones in this sector, the present research aimed to analyze the challenges of drone application in Iran's agriculture in order to propose some effective strategies. The research is an applied study in goal and an exploratory study in data collection procedure conducted by the survey method. The statistical population was composed of experts in agriculture drones in higher educational centers, research centers, and agriculture organizations. The results show that the most important strength of the use of agriculture drones in the internal space is the reduction of the work burden on humans and the application of liquid fertilizers and pesticides with relatively fast speed and high precision. The most important weaknesses are the high cost of computer software and the need for heavy initial capital for platforms and equipment in terrestrial drone stations. In the external space, the main opportunities are the possibility of air-based sampling of the density and propagation of fungi, disease, and rotting vectors, helping to predict disease outbreaks, collecting information on disease agents, performing control and prevention actions, and spraying chemicals to protect the plants. The main threat is poor expert consultation in the establishment and development of drone companies. The analysis of the strategic space reveals that the environment for the use of drones in the agricultural sector of Iran is in the realm of competitive strategies.