Foreign Media: Surge in Demand for Agricultural Drones, China's "Smart Farmland" Model Accelerates Expansion into Emerging Markets
To address rural labor force aging and enhance sustainable agricultural output, China is accelerating the promotion of agricultural drone applications. Analysts believe that despite U.S. trade restrictions, this trend is expected to further expand into more emerging markets in the future.
Industry leader DJI disclosed that as of the end of June this year, its global sales of agricultural drones have exceeded 700,000 units, with operations covering China and over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Sales have increased more than fivefold within five years. The application scenarios of these smart devices have expanded from initial uses such as spraying, sowing, and fertilizing to include field inspections and transporting supplies in steep slopes and flood-prone areas. A report released by DJI over the weekend stated that the cumulative amount of agricultural inputs delivered by these drones has reached 17 million tons.
Amid a backdrop where large portions of Chinese farmland are still cultivated by elderly farmers, and global commodity market volatility intensifying, policy makers are pushing to boost agricultural productivity and ensure food self-sufficiency. Although DJI did not disclose specific export ratios in this report, the company indicated in 2024 that exports accounted for approximately 30%.
According to research firm Global Market Insights, DJI’s global market share last year exceeded 40%, placing it in an absolute leading position. A senior researcher at Peking University Institute of Modern Agriculture believes that drone integration is an "irreversible trend" in modern agricultural development, and China is expected to maintain its leadership in this domain for the foreseeable future.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1872134933199884/
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