What’s Driving Growth in the Crop Spraying Drone Market?

The recently released survey, "Crop Spraying Drones Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028" from Research and Markets,” stated that the crop spraying drone market is currently strong and well poised for future expansion. In 2021, the report said, the market was worth $1.39 billion. Growing at a compound annual rate of 35.79% over the next few years, the crop spraying drone sector is set to reach a total size of $11.9 billion by 2028.

Considering the many successful use cases for using crop spraying drones, the growth in the market is not surprising

As an article on Farm Journal put it, “(D)rone-driven sprayers are popping up across the country as better batteries, longer flight times and bigger machines make it possible to spray sizable acreage in a timely manner.” Also, a post by Samli Drones said that “(T)he introduction of spraying drones allowed for particular and controlled application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers,” and “(T)his decreased chemical utilization, minimized environmental impact, and elevated the performance of crop treatment.”

Moreover, a piece in the digital magazine Undark stated that drones “are far quicker at chemical spraying, adaptable to a wide range of farm duties, and can aid with water conservation. But above all, they are praised for cost-efficiency.” And, the article said, “drones can do a lot more than spray chemicals. Some can analyze the terrain for weeds, check moisture levels, assess for signs of pest infestation, suggest field planning, determine crop health, and even create a nutrient map of the growing harvest.”

Last year, drone and precision agriculture expert Daniel Candro told Commercial UAV News that farming operations are turning to uncrewed systems because of their ability to produce “remarkable improvements in production, efficiency, and revenue within the agricultural cycle.” He believes that crop spraying drones and related technologies will continue to produce value for agricultural operations because the integration “of precision agriculture, AI, and drone technology has the potential to revolutionize the sector, providing farmers and communities with actionable information for effective land and crop management.”

The Research and Markets report expands on these ideas, stating that “(T)he crop spraying drones market is experiencing growth driven by rising awareness regarding the detrimental effects of pesticides on the environment and human well-being is a key factor fueling the need for crop spraying drones.” Moreover, the economic value of these systems is measurable and significant: The report cites statistics from the American Farm Bureau Federation claiming that “the average U.S. farmer employing drones experiences a return on investment of $12 USD per acre for corn and $2 to $3 per acre for soybeans and wheat.”

Further aiding the growth, the report stated, are government efforts to encourage drone use on farms. The report points to the FAA awarding of some $4.4 million to seven universities for research, education, and drone training as just one example of a government program aimed at increased drone use in agriculture.

In recent months, this drive to increase the use of drones for crop spraying has been reinforced by several news reports. For example, Rantizo, an Iowa-based manufacturer and provider of drone crop spraying systems, announced last fall that it has received $6 million in Series A funding. With this investment, Rantizo plans to expand its spray drone services and nationwide operator network.

Similarly, Massachusetts-based Guardian Agriculture announced in December of last year that it had deployed four of its aviation-grade eVTOL aircraft for crop spraying in California. These vehicles, according to a report in Dronelife, “offer a more efficient, sustainable, and safe alternative to traditional crop-dusting methods or ground-based equipment” and are “capable of covering up to 60 acres per hour, carrying a 200lb payload, and boasting a combined tank fill and supercharge time of less than 1 minute.”

We can expect more and more of these success stories in the months and years to come as the agriculture sector continues to embrace the use of crop spraying drones and finds new and better ways to deploy the technology.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Related blogs

Rantizo Certified Technician Helping Drone Operator

Why Do I Need Spray Drone Support?

02 May, 2024

As spray drone technology continues to evolve, operators often encounter challenges requiring expert support. From calibration uncertainties and warranty repairs to technical troubleshooting and regulatory questions, the complexities can be daunting. Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or just starting out, here’s how a support package can benefit your business. 1. Calibration Questions Calibrating your drone helps ensure correct readings for more precise spray coverage. A support team can provide peace of mind that you’ve completed the process correctly, allowing you to fly with confidence. For example, calibrating your drone helps in getting a correct report on targeted vs. actual gallons per acre sprayed following a job. Common questions asked: How do I calibrate the spray system of the drone? How often do I need to calibrate my drone? Why should I calibrate my drone? 2. Warranty Repairs If your drone malfunctions or breaks down, maintain your warranty and investment by having a Certified Technician to assist with repairs. Find a team that can help you facilitate the process and provide clear instructions to help you get back to work efficiently. Common questions asked: Why am I receiving an error message? My drone is having malfunctions that I can’t figure out. Can you help? What documents do I need to complete for warranty repairs? Why is my pump not spraying? 3. Technical Troubleshooting Technology isn’t perfect and errors do occur. Troubleshooting errors alone can be a headache. Having a drone expert you can call for help will make it easier to solve these tricky problems and get you back in the air faster. Common Questions asked: Why is my drone giving me a pump error message? Why am I getting ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) errors? Why is my charger not fast charging? Why am I getting kicked into manual flight mode? Why is my RTK not connecting? Why won’t my drone take off? 4. Regulatory Questions Starting an FAA-compliant spray drone business can be intimidating. But with the right support team, you can confidently ask any regulatory question, basic or advanced. Common questions asked: How close can I fly to an airport? What do I need if the FAA shows up and questions me? How far away from roads do I need to be? How long does my medical card last? Why did my registration get denied? 5. Basic Operation Questions Quick questions deserve a quick answer. Especially when that question could directly affect your in-field performance. When choosing a support team, ensure that you reach a real person via call, text or email who can supply that quick answer to get you back in the air. Common questions asked: How to only spray a field boundary? What is the optimal gpa to spray fungicide? What should I set my swath width at if I’m spraying a pasture? What should my chemical mixture be to spray 30 acres of wheat at 2gpa? Where should I set up my RTK? 6. In-Field Repairs Downtime is lost revenue. With a support package, you can get the support you need to get back in the air quickly. Call in with a quick repair question or troubleshoot a larger issue with a Certified Technician. They can advise on in-field repairs or schedule your drone for repairs at our shop. Common questions asked: How do I change the propellers? Why aren’t the pumps spraying at max rate? How do I change the hopper gate on the dry spreader? How do I lock the battery in? 7. Product Recommendations At times, a fresh perspective is essential. Ensure that the drone support package you choose comes with a dedicated support line, offering top-notch advice on products such as generators, nozzles, components, or personal protective equipment. Common questions asked: What is the best propeller to use? What nozzles are best for fungicide? What is the best generator for my set up? Where can I buy a mixing tank? This season, make sure you have reliable support that you can count on. For more information on support packages available from Rantizo, visit www.rantizo.com/our-services or request a quote today.