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China accelerates drone farming, expanding beyond its own farmlands
DJI says agricultural drone sales topped 700,000 units across China and more than 100 countries and regions, and the devices have moved 17 million tonnes of farm supplies.
China is rapidly expanding its use of farm drones to address an ageing agricultural workforce and to improve sustainable yields, a shift analysts say could spread to emerging markets despite United States trade restrictions, according to SCMP Economy.
DJI, the industry leader, said global sales of agricultural drones exceeded 700,000 units across China and more than 100 other countries and regions by the end of last month, marking more than a fivefold increase in just five years. The use of the devices has expanded beyond spraying, seeding and fertilising to include patrolling fields and transporting materials in steep or flooded terrain, the outlet reported.
SCMP Economy also cited DJI data showing its agricultural drones have moved a total of 17 million tonnes of farm supplies. Policymakers are pushing for greater agricultural efficiency to support food self-sufficiency amid increasingly volatile global commodity markets.
DJI did not break out export figures in the recent report, but SCMP Economy noted a 2024 company statement that put the export ratio at 30 per cent. The outlet added that DJI held a global market share above 40 per cent last year, and quoted Peking University researcher Hu Ruifa describing the drone shift as an “irresistible trend” in modern agriculture.