Effectiveness assessment of technical innovations in the implementation of the modern model of the agricultural sector of Ukraine

The agricultural sector of Ukraine requires fundamental changes to improve efficiency, rural development and sustainability, which is possible through the implementation of an innovative development model. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the introduction of one of the types of technical innovations - agricultural drones - in the agricultural production of Ukraine. The study uses the dialectical method of scientific cognition, analysis and synthesis, systematic generalisation, comparative analysis, rating method, and the mathematical method of calculation "solution optimisation" using Excel. The study analyses modern approaches to assessing the efficiency of individual processes, which helped to formulate its algorithm for calculating the efficiency of land cultivation using agricultural drones. At the first stage of the study, the technical advantages of agricultural drones were identified, which are manifested in increased labour productivity. The second stage of the study calculated the increase in the main crops (corn, wheat, sunflower, barley, soybeans, rapeseed, peas, buckwheat, and millet) that can be obtained as a result of the use of agricultural drones on a national scale. The third stage of the study yielded an indicator of the economic efficiency of introducing agricultural drones into agricultural production, as well as a forecast of the social and environmental effects. It is emphasised that state support for the Ukrainian production of agricultural drones in various forms (subsidies, preferential lending, leasing, etc.) will contribute to the development of innovative Ukrainian industry, which will positively affect the change in the sectoral structure of the national economy and significantly increase the country's gross domestic product. The following conclusions, suggestions and practical recommendations may be useful in developing relevant programmes and measures aimed at developing the agricultural sector of Ukraine.