The Chinese manufacturer now has 30 percent of the global market. Many see this as a safety risk. Today, 300,000 DJI agricultural drones are sold in China alone every year. The manufacturer has increased its business fifteenfold in five years. Its rapid growth has been helped by its ability to find its way to young farmers, who are increasingly facing labour shortages in China, just as they are in Western Europe and Japan.

DJI (Dà-Jiāng Innovations Science and Technology Co., Ltd.) has positioned itself as a leader in the drone industry, especially within the agricultural sector. Founded in 2006, DJI initially gained prominence with its consumer drones but quickly recognized the vast potential of drones in agriculture, a sector plagued by labour shortages, rising costs, and the need for efficiency.

Agricultural drones have become crucial in modern farming, allowing farmers to manage large tracts of land with precision and reduced manpower. In China, where agriculture is an essential part of the economy, DJI’s technology has transformed farming practices, automating tasks like spraying pesticides, fertilizing crops, and monitoring field health through aerial imagery.

With drones increasingly becoming an integral tool for crop management, DJI’s success story mirrors the broader trend of technology-driven agriculture, often referred to as precision agriculture.

Changing demographics in farming

In China, drones are already used for crop protection on about a third of farmland. Farmers in their 30s and 40s are the most intensive users, but as the population ages, the user base is expanding.

The average age of farmers is rising globally, including in China, Japan, and Western Europe. In Japan, for instance, the average age of farmers is over 67 years, and similar trends are observed in China and Europe. This demographic shift poses significant challenges as older farmers may struggle to adopt new technologies, yet the efficiency gains offered by drones make them an attractive option for those who remain active in the field.

Young farmers, typically in their 30s and 40s, are leading the way in adopting these technologies. They are more tech-savvy, open to innovation, and motivated to optimize their operations amid rising costs and labour shortages. This generation is embracing precision agriculture to maintain competitiveness and manage environmental sustainability. As the older population retires, the user base of agricultural drones is expected to grow further, accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies.

The Amazon of the agrotech scene

DJI has become a kind of “agrotech Amazon” in the global market, thanks to its early awakening, launching its first drone specifically designed for agricultural use in 2018. This gave it time to adapt its technology to the needs of the sector more than any of its competitors.

DJI’s entrance into the agricultural market in 2018 marked a turning point. Its early mover advantage allowed the company to refine its technology, making drones more reliable, efficient, and easier to use. This pioneering approach echoes the broader trajectory of DJI, which is often compared to Amazon for its market dominance and relentless innovation. Just as Amazon transformed retail, DJI is reshaping the agricultural landscape.

The DJI Agras series represents the company’s commitment to the agriculture sector, with models like the Agras T20 and T30 setting new standards. These drones are equipped with high-precision spraying systems, AI-powered planning, and obstacle avoidance technologies, making them highly efficient for large-scale farming. They also integrate with other smart farming tools, including sensors and data analytics platforms, to provide a comprehensive solution for modern farmers.

Technological capabilities and market positioning

Its drones can work almost entirely autonomously: they use aerial photography to plan and fine-tune their flight path and automatically avoid obstacles. The latest models are capable of delivering up to 18 litres of spray per minute to the plantation. And their prices (currently starting at around $7000) are highly competitive. An analysis by MarketsandMarkets last year, which also identifies DJI as a key player, singles out the company’s control software, DJI Naza, as one of the best products on the market.

DJI’s technological prowess sets it apart from competitors. Its drones utilize advanced features such as GPS guidance, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning algorithms to automate complex tasks. These technologies allow for precision spraying, which reduces chemical use, minimizes environmental impact, and improves crop yields. The drones can carry large payloads, spray evenly, and adjust their operation based on real-time data, such as wind speed and weather conditions.

The competitive pricing of DJI’s drones further strengthens its market position. For instance, models start at around $7,000, making them accessible to mid-sized farms. This pricing strategy, combined with the technical capabilities of DJI Naza—a highly praised flight control system—offers a comprehensive and user-friendly experience for farmers. Naza integrates seamlessly with various sensors, cameras, and data platforms, enabling farmers to collect and analyze field data efficiently.

Global reach and applications

DJI is not only making inroads domestically: it is also a major player in the US (wheat and corn), Southeast Asia (rice), Australia and Japan. Some Japanese rice growers use drones for drone sowing, fertilisation and spraying. They claim they can get by significantly cheaper than if they were using conventional (e.g. tractor + mounted tools) equipment.

DJI’s influence extends well beyond China. In the United States, drones are widely used in large-scale operations, particularly for wheat and corn farming. American farmers benefit from the precision and scalability offered by DJI’s technologies, which help reduce costs, enhance crop management, and minimize environmental impact. Similarly, in Southeast Asia, drones are revolutionizing rice farming—a staple in the region—by making traditional labor-intensive practices more efficient.

In Japan, DJI drones have transformed rice farming, enabling precise sowing, fertilization, and spraying. Japanese farmers report that drone use significantly cuts costs compared to conventional methods, such as tractors with mounted tools. The flexibility and speed of drones allow them to operate in difficult terrains, such as terraced rice fields, where traditional machinery struggles. This adaptability is crucial in regions with unique farming landscapes.

Market projections and future growth

Understandably, analysts expect the market to expand rapidly. According to a Chinese market researcher, QY Research, the global market for agricultural drones will be worth $3.1 billion this year, rising to $9 billion by 2030. Using a slightly different methodology, MarketsandMarkets measured the market at $4.5 billion last year and predicted $17.9 billion by 2029.

The agricultural drone market is set for explosive growth. Key factors driving this expansion include the increasing global demand for food, the need for sustainable farming practices, and the growing trend of smart farming technologies. Analysts from QY Research and MarketsandMarkets have forecasted a significant rise in the market value, with predictions ranging from $9 billion by 2030 to $17.9 billion by 2029.

This growth trajectory highlights the pivotal role of drones in the future of agriculture. As technologies advance, we can expect drones to become even more integrated into farming operations, with enhanced AI capabilities, better data integration, and more efficient energy use. Governments and organizations worldwide are also likely to invest in drone technology as part of broader efforts to improve agricultural productivity and address food security challenges.

Challenges: data, training, and security concerns

Drones are part of the so-called precision agriculture ecosystem. So the key to their operational efficiency is data: they collect data and need data to ‘feed’ them. This raises two problems: it requires specific expertise to operate, and it raises (national) security concerns.

Precision agriculture relies heavily on data collection and analysis. Drones gather vast amounts of data through sensors, cameras, and GPS systems, which help farmers make informed decisions about crop management. However, processing this data is complex and requires specialized skills that many farmers currently lack. Training programs for drone operators began gaining traction in the late 2010s, but the workforce is still developing. There is a critical need for standardization in data formats and processing methods to facilitate data exchange and collaboration among farmers.

On the security side, DJI’s dominance raises national security concerns, especially in countries like the United States. Drones continuously collect environmental data, which, if misused, could pose significant risks, similar to concerns seen with connected car technologies. As a result, governments are cautious, and measures have been implemented to regulate the use of DJI drones. In the US, DJI has been placed on trade restriction lists, reflecting the broader geopolitical tension and concerns about data privacy and national security.

Regulatory scrutiny and geopolitical challenges

Washington has also added DJI to its list of companies subject to trade restrictions. And the 2025 fiscal year defence spending bill would have initially significantly restricted the use of DJI drones.

The rise of DJI has not been without controversy. In response to perceived security risks, the U.S. government has implemented trade restrictions and legislative measures targeting the company. DJI’s inclusion on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Entity List highlights concerns about data security, as drones manufactured by Chinese companies could potentially be used for espionage or unauthorized data collection.

The U.S. Department of Defense has also taken steps to limit the use of DJI drones within military and governmental operations, citing national security risks. These actions underscore the broader geopolitical tensions between China and the United States, which extend beyond trade and into the realm of technological supremacy. For DJI, navigating these regulatory landscapes is a critical challenge as it seeks to maintain its global market leadership while addressing security concerns.

Overall, DJI’s agricultural drones represent a significant technological leap in farming, offering efficiency, precision, and reduced environmental impact. However, the rapid rise of these technologies also brings new challenges related to data management, operator training, and security. As the market continues to expand, DJI and other industry players will need to address these issues to ensure the safe and effective use of drones in global agriculture.

Source: marketsandmarkets.com | asia.nikkei.com

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