Global Multi-Rotor Agricultural Drone Market - 2024-2031

Overview

Global Multi-Rotor Agricultural Drone Market reached US$ 431.33 million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 671.89 million by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 5.64% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

The rising population is increasing the need for more agricultural produce. Farmers are under pressure to increase productivity and minimize costs. Multi-rotor agricultural drones enable farmers to efficiently monitor crops, assess plant health, identify areas of stress or disease, and optimize irrigation and pesticide application. This capability helps farmers make data-driven decisions to improve crop yields and reduce input costs.

The accessibility and flexibility of multi-rotor drones make them suitable for operations of all sizes, from small family farms to large-scale commercial enterprises, democratizing the benefits of precision agriculture across the agricultural sector. Multi-rotor agricultural drones support sustainable agriculture by enabling precise and targeted interventions, reducing the need for chemical inputs, and minimizing environmental impact.

North America dominated the global multi-rotor agricultural drone market. North America benefits from a supportive regulatory environment for drone operations, with clear rules and guidelines governing their use in agriculture. This regulatory clarity fosters confidence among stakeholders and encourages adoption and innovation in the multi-rotor agricultural drone market.

Dynamics

Adoption Of Precision Agriculture

The increasing adoption of precision agriculture is revolutionizing traditional farming practices by leveraging advanced technologies to optimize crop production while minimizing resource inputs. Precision agriculture techniques, driven by factors such as population growth, food security concerns and environmental sustainability goals, have gained significant traction worldwide.

By utilizing data-driven insights and technology tools, farmers can precisely monitor and manage various aspects of their operations, from soil health and moisture levels to plant growth and pest infestations. Multi-rotor agricultural drones play a pivotal role in the implementation of precision agriculture strategies by providing farmers with timely and high-resolution aerial imagery.

These drones are equipped with various sensors, including multispectral and thermal cameras, which capture detailed data about crop health, nutrient levels and water stress. By flying over fields and collecting real-time data, drones enable farmers to identify potential issues early, such as disease outbreaks or irrigation inefficiencies, allowing for proactive interventions to optimize yields and reduce losses.

Technological Advancements

Continuous advancements in drone technology are driving innovation and expanding the capabilities of multi-rotor agricultural drones. These advancements include improvements in flight stability, battery life, payload capacity, automation, sensor technology and data analytics capabilities. As drones become more efficient, reliable and cost-effective, they offer farmers greater flexibility and scalability in their operations.

Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms enables drones to analyze and interpret aerial data more accurately and autonomously, further enhancing their value proposition in agriculture. The rapid pace of technological innovation fuels the growth of the multi-rotor agricultural drone market by unlocking new functionalities and applications.

For instance, in October 2022, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announced its plans to launch the YMR-II in spring 2023, featuring an automatic flight function as standard. Developed as a safe and secure domestic agricultural drone, key features include advanced information security, intuitive automatic navigation with agFMS-IIm, and enhanced flight stability with a 6-rotor layout and box frame structure.

High Initial Investment

The high initial investment required to enter the multi-rotor agricultural drone market acts as a significant restraint, particularly for smaller-scale farmers or those with limited financial resources. Agricultural drones come with a high price tag, especially if farmers opt for high-quality systems with advanced features and capabilities.

In addition to the cost of the drone itself, farmers must invest in various associated equipment such as sensors, cameras, and software to effectively utilize the drone for agricultural purposes. These additional expenses can quickly add up, making it challenging for farmers, especially those operating on tight budgets, to justify the initial investment. Moreover, the cost of maintaining and servicing agricultural drones further adds to the financial burden, intensifying the risk associated with adopting new technology.

Segment Analysis

The global multi-rotor agricultural drone market is segmented based on type, crops, application and region.

Versatility of 4-6 Rotors

The global multi-rotor agricultural drone market is segmented based on type into 4-6 rotors and 6-8 rotors. The 4-6 rotors type accounted for the largest share. Multi-rotor agricultural drones with 4-6 rotors are often preferred for their versatility and agility. They can move more easily in confined spaces and are better suited for close-range operations such as crop scouting, mapping, and spraying in small to medium-sized fields.

Drones with 4-6 rotors are generally more cost-effective both in terms of initial purchase price and ongoing maintenance costs compared to those with 6-8 rotors. This makes them more accessible to a wider range of farmers, especially smaller-scale operators. Drones with 4-6 rotors are often easier to operate and require less training and expertise compared to those with 6-8 rotors. This ease of operation is appealing to farmers who may not have extensive experience with drone technology.

Geographical Penetration

High Technological Advancements in North America

North America dominated the global multi-rotor agricultural drone market. North America has been an early adopter of precision agriculture techniques, leveraging drones for various tasks such as crop monitoring, mapping, and spraying. The region's farmers recognize the significant benefits that drones bring, including optimized inputs, reduced costs, and maximized yields.

North America, especially United States, stands out as a hub for technological innovation, with a strong emphasis on drone technology. The region hosts numerous leading drone manufacturers and developers, spearheading advancements in multi-rotor agricultural drones. This innovation ecosystem fosters continuous improvement and drives the development of cutting-edge technologies tailored to the specific needs of the agricultural sector.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include Chengdu JOUAV Automation Tech Co., Ltd, Fly Dragon Drone Tech, Dazzle Robotics Pvt. Ltd., ALIGN Corporation Limited, Hongfei Aviation Technology Co., Ltd., Revolution AG Pty Ltd, Jiangsu Digital Eagle Technology Development Co., Ltd, Draganfly Innovations Inc., Marut Dronetech Private Limited and Aero Systems West.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

COVID-19 has a moderate impact on the global multi-rotor agricultural drone market. The disruptions to global supply chains caused delays in drone production and delivery, hindering market growth. Economic uncertainties led some farmers to prioritize immediate financial concerns over long-term investments in drone technology.

The pandemic posed challenges, but it also accelerated technology adoption in agriculture, with multi-rotor drones expected to enhance productivity and sustainability in farming operations. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of multi-rotor agricultural drones as farmers sought efficient and socially distanced solutions for crop monitoring and spraying. Drones enable remote monitoring, reducing the need for physical presence and lowering the risk of virus exposure.

By Type

• 4-6 Rotors
• 6-8 Rotors

By Crops

• Row Crops
• Orchards and Vineyards
• Specialty Crops

By Application

• VRA
• Crop Spraying
• Crop Scouting
• Livestock
• Agricultural Photography

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

• In November 2022, DJI, the world's leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, launched DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral, by bringing advanced productivity tools to individuals and organizations engaged in precision agriculture around the world. This version of DJI Mavic 3 is equipped with a multispectral imaging system that quickly captures crop growth information.
• In October 2022, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announced its plans to launch the YMR-II in spring 2023, featuring an automatic flight function as standard.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global multi-rotor agricultural drone market segmentation based on type, crops, application and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of multi-rotor agricultural drone market-level with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global multi-rotor agricultural drone market report would provide approximately 62 tables, 53 figures and 230 pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies