Flying into the Future: Modelling Farmers’ Acceptance of Agricultural Drones in Kedah, Malaysia using TAM and Economic Factors

Abstract

The rapid advancement of agricultural drone technology has transformed farming practices globally, offering improvements in productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. In Malaysia, particularly in Kedah, one of the nation’s primary agricultural regions where the potential benefits of drone adoption are evident; however, farmers’ acceptance of the technology remains influenced by usability and economic considerations. This study examines the factors affecting the acceptance of agricultural drones among farmers in Kedah by integrating the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with economic perspectives. A quantitative research design was employed, whereby structured questionnaires were distributed to 385 farmers through social media platforms and agricultural agency networks. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, reliability testing, and multiple regression analysis. The findings reveal that Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and Economic Factors significantly influence farmers’ acceptance of agricultural drones. Perceived Usefulness emerged as the strongest predictor (β = 0.728), indicating that farmers are more likely to adopt drones when they perceive clear improvements in crop monitoring, yield, and operational efficiency. Perceived Ease of Use also had a positive effect (β = 0.519), suggesting that simplicity of operation encourages adoption. Economic Factors, while significant, showed a negative coefficient (β = -0.424), indicating that high initial costs may hinder adoption despite long-term benefits. Overall, the model explains 73.1% of the variance in drone acceptance (R² = 0.731). These findings highlight the need for cost-sharing schemes, training support, and policy incentives to ensure wider drone adoption and sustainable agricultural modernization in Malaysia.