Journal of Scientific Research and Reports

Agricultural drone spraying offers potential operational advantages, but service delivery in Rajasthan is affected by weather, field conditions and farmer awareness. This study examined constraints reported by drone service providers and assessed district-level exposure to conditions that may affect spraying. Data were obtained from a structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with 15 providers across eight districts. The analysis considered nine technical, environmental and awareness-related constraints and drew on published technical research, an official heat bulletin and operator accounts. Frequencies and percentages were used to summarise operators' responses, while climate and terrain evidence was used to describe exposure. Fourteen providers (93%) reported weather-related constraints, including wind, heat and rain. All 15 providers offered pesticide and liquid-fertiliser spraying, and none provided monitoring, mapping or advisory services. Thirteen providers encountered farmer hesitation, with each attributing it to doubts about effectiveness. Extreme reported temperatures included 49.0°C in Phalodi, 43.6°C in Jodhpur and 49.4°C in Sri Ganganagar (India Meteorological Department, 2024). Exposure to fog was particularly evident in Sri Ganganagar, Alwar and Kotputli. Operators also identified short battery endurance, payload restrictions and irregular field boundaries as practical concerns. The findings suggest that location-specific weather scheduling, attention to battery temperature and verification of equipment protection may support operations. Demonstrations of crop-health monitoring could help address awareness constraints, although their commercial viability was not assessed.