Management and utilization models for UAVs in digital agriculture: An analytical framework with implications for Vietnam

This study advances a conceptual approach to positioning unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as strategic digital technology assets within the digital agricultural ecosystem, emphasizing that their value extends beyond operational functions to include data generation and support for managerial decision-making. The analysis demonstrates that centralized and service-oriented deployment models offer distinct advantages in terms of economic efficiency, operational standardization, and data utilization. Based on these insights, the study identifies a hybrid UAV management model integrating cooperatives and service enterprises as well suited to Vietnam’s agricultural production context, while also outlining broader implications for promoting efficient and sustainable digital transformation in agriculture.