China has been using drones in the agricultural sector for several years now, and it has proven to be a highly effective method of improving crop yields.
A local drone businessman started his agricultural drone business back in his hometown of Chung Ching in southwest China in 2017.
He said at first it was hard to convince other farmers to use the new technology, but now his business is soaring.
“The use of agriculture drones increased in China. Later on, they provided drone services on about 2,700 hectares of farmland in 2018. But in 2019, the figures searched more than 13,000 hectares”, a drone businessman said.
The experienced drone operator said the small machines will be applied in more and more farming scenarios in forward.
“At first, drones were used to spray pesticides, and now they also help apply fertilizer. Drone technology has provided a catalyst for agriculture and made farming cool. I believe drones will be more widely used in the agricultural field in the future”, a drone businessman added.
Some of the ways in which drones are being used in agriculture in China include:
Crop monitoring: Drones equipped with cameras and other sensors can be used to monitor crop health and growth, detect pests and diseases, and identify areas where irrigation or fertilizer is needed.
Precision spraying: Drones can be used to apply pesticides and other chemicals with a high degree of accuracy, reducing waste and minimizing environmental damage.
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Mapping and surveying: Drones can be used to create highly detailed maps of farmland, allowing farmers to better plan and manage their operations.
Crop dusting: Drones can be used to spray crops with seeds or fertilizers, reducing the amount of manual labor required.
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According to US-based research and consulting firm, China’s drone market is currently estimated at more than 470 million US dollars and is expected to have a compound annual growth rate of close to 14 percent by 2033.
The use of drones in agriculture has the potential to greatly improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase yields. It is no surprise that China, with its large agricultural sector, has been an early adopter of this technology.
