- tech360.tv
DJI Expands Agricultural Drone Business by Engaging Young Farmers in China
DJI experiences a 15-fold sales increase in agricultural drones in China over five years. The global farming drone market is projected to grow from US$3.1 billion in 2024 to US$9 billion by 2030. DJI leads the market with a 30% share, with Yamaha Motor following at 11%.
Over the last five years, DJI's sales have increased 15-fold, reaching an impressive 300,000 units.
In rural China, drones hovering over fields to spray pesticides are becoming more common. These drones use aerial imagery to map flight routes and can navigate autonomously. The most recent models feature dual sprayers capable of administering 18 litres of chemicals per minute.
DJI drones are used to farm approximately one-third of China's land, primarily by tech-savvy farmers in their 30s and 40s. This technology is in high demand because it helps to mitigate the effects of a shrinking labour force caused by China's ageing demographic.
DJI drones are preferred over other competing models because they are less expensive, costing around 50,000 yuan (approximately $7,000. China's QY Research forecasts a significant increase in the global farming drone market, from US$3.1 billion in 2024 to $9 billion by 2030. DJI currently leads the market with approximately 30%, with Yamaha Motor trailing far behind at 11%.
DJI entered the agricultural drone market in 2015, and by 2022, this sector was the second-largest revenue contributor, trailing only its consumer camera drone division. To foster long-term relationships with young Chinese farmers, DJI offers extensive customer support. The company employs approximately 6,000 instructors, primarily from China, who train retail employees to become certified trainers themselves. Furthermore, DJI has 1,100 repair centres capable of resolving 95% of issues in six hours or less.
Beyond China, DJI sees significant sales of agricultural drones in the Americas, particularly for wheat and maize cultivation, and in Southeast Asia, primarily for rice farming. Australian farmers use DJI drones to manage weeds in pastures, with Japan standing out as a significant market.
A rice farmer in Japan's Tottori prefecture uses a DJI drone to directly sow seeds and apply pesticides and fertiliser to his 16-hectare rice paddies. The farmer reports that the drone has greatly accelerated his work, reducing both physical and mental strain. Investing in a 1.8 million yen (US$12,000) drone and a 250,000 yen battery is a more cost-effective option than purchasing various traditional farming equipment.
DJI's most recent model improves spraying capabilities on sloped terrain, aiming to cater to fruit and tea cultivation in Japan's mountainous regions. However, regulatory restrictions present challenges for DJI in the United States and Europe. Washington has added DJI to its Entity List, subjecting the company to trade restrictions. The United States House of Representatives' fiscal 2025 defence spending bill proposed stricter regulations on DJI drones, but the Senate is considering revisions in response to user concerns.
As civilian drone technology advances, concerns about potential military applications grow. DJI has refrained from deploying farming drones in conflict-prone regions of Central Africa, focussing on responsible technology use.
DJI experiences a 15-fold sales increase in agricultural drones in China over five years.
The global farming drone market is projected to grow from US$3.1 billion in 2024 to US$9 billion by 2030.
DJI leads the market with a 30% share, with Yamaha Motor following at 11%.
Source: NIKKEI ASIA