The Agricultural Drone Market Could Reach $6 Billion in 5 Years

Drones have helped redefine farming over the last two years. If used properly, they can result in improved crop yields, higher economic returns, and more efficient use of water and labor. The use of UAVs in agriculture can even help lower greenhouse gas emissions since they require less fuel than bulkier, motorized farm equipment (crop dusters, anyone?)

In their brief time on the agricultural market, drones have made a substantial impact. But is this just a passing trend, or will the market continue to grow on the same exponential trajectory it is today?

Projected Growth of the Agricultural Drone Market

Investment bank Goldman Sachs predicts that in five years, the drone industry overall will hit $100 billion thanks to their attractiveness for commercial, hobby, and civil government functions. They predict the full economic potential of drones could be even larger as their effects ripple through the economy.

According to Goldman Sachs, agriculture is one of the industries with the most potential growth opportunity from drones. Their research states that in the next five years, the agricultural drone market will be estimated at $5.9 billion.

Biggest Benefits of Drones in Agriculture

Let’s imagine that a farmer wants to use a drone to monitor the growth of his crops to check up on their health. This farmer likely needs frequent monitoring to ensure that he can keep an eye out for and correct any crop damage, such as insect infestations, diseases or water deprivation. That drone would be able to inspect up to 1,000 acres in a single day, turning around surveys with more speed and accuracy than a satellite or plane.

Here’s another scenario: A farmer needs to spray fertilizers or pesticides across hundreds of acres of land. Paying for a crop duster and pilot would cost the farm thousands of dollars, and spreading pesticides and fertilizers by foot could take weeks. A heavy-lift drone could tackle the entire area in hours.

Upcoming Agricultural Drone Advancements

As drone technology continues to advance, a farmer operating his own agriculture drone could fly over thousands of acres and watch on live video through a smartphone or tablet. By visualizing which parts of the farm need help in high-resolution photos and video, farmers could count each plant and review their crops with a heavy-duty UAV.

Soon, farmers can expect to view infrared and visible radiation to calculate crop productivity to harvest more food at a higher quality than ever before. If the Federal Aviation Administration were to increase the maximum flight height of drones (currently 400 feet), a farmer’s drone could double its daily coverage.

KDE Direct Components for Agricultural Drones

Heavy-lift drones for spraying or monitoring crops require durable, long-lasting components. Strong and maintenance-free brushless motors, propellers, and ESCs are essential for high performing UAVs. KDE Direct brushless motors provide market-leading performance and thousands of hours of maintenance-free usage.

We are proud to stand at the forefront of the agricultural drone market. Every one of our production facilities has implemented ISO 9001 certification to ensure safety and quality control. Likewise, all of our products are RoHS (The Restriction of Hazardous Substances), CE (European Conformity), and WEEE (The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive) compliant for commercial and industrial applications.

If you require modifications to our current product lineup or custom designed components specific to the needs of your project, KDE Direct has the experience and skill to meet your goals. Please contact KDE Direct (sales@kdedirect.com) for sales and design inquiries as well as information about custom product capabilities.