This study investigates the acceptance willingness and driving factors of agricultural drones among 229 smallholder farmers in Liaoning Province. Based on the UTAUT model and incorporating policy support variables, the research explores their attitudes toward adopting agricultural drones.A stratified random sampling method was employed to select smallholder farmers from six regions within the province for in-person interviews and online questionnaires. SPSS 27.0 was used for reliability and validity testing, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis.Results indicate that the questionnaire demonstrated good reliability and validity. Performance perception, perceived ease of use, social environment, and policy support all exerted significant positive effects on smallholder farmers' acceptance intention, with performance perception having the strongest influence and perceived ease of use the weakest. Based on empirical findings, the study proposes countermeasures including strengthening benefit guidance, establishing a socialized promotion network, optimizing the policy support system, and improving drone service models. These measures aim to enhance smallholder farmers' acceptance of agricultural drones and promote the intelligent transformation of agriculture.
jiawen et al. (2026) studied this question.