DJI Focusing on Drones for Agriculture as Consumer Sales Slow
Increasingly regulation, combined with bad press for drones, is causing a mild decline in recreational drone sales so DJI of China is directing more attention to promoting dronres for agriculture.
The Financial Times is reporting that DJI doubled sales of agricultural drones last year and will be spending more in 2019 to market to and educate farmers on their use.
DJI dominates the global drone business with a market share somewhere above 70% according to industry figures.
Agricultural uses where DJI drones are being deployed include Crop Consulting, Irrigation Management, Crop Inspection, and Spraying.
AGRAS MG-1S Crop Spraying Drone
The Agras MG-1S integrates a number of cutting-edge DJI technologies, including the new A3 Flight Controller, and a Radar Sensing System that provides additional reliability duringflight. The spraying system and flow sensor ensure accurate operations. When used withthe MG Intelligent Operation Planning System and the DJI Agriculture Management Platform,a user can plan operations, manage flights in real-time, and closely monitor aircraft operatingstatus. The MG-1S is a high performance aircraft capable of offering comprehensive solutionsfor agricultural care.
With intelligent software and AI, the Agras series of drones can complete complex spraying tasks faster, and less expensively, than more expensive traditional farming equipement.
DJI has put together multiple videos showcasing the Agras drones ability to identify the subject area and self-program a spraying route and pattern for optimal spray delivery.
In addition to faster, more cost effective delivery, using remotely piloted drones that fly pre-programmed patterns automatically also provides health risk improvement opportunities. Equipment operators using traditional spraying equipment would normally be working right in the field being sprayed. posing potential current and future health risks.
With a remotely piloted MG-1S, humans are kept out of harms way meaning farm labor can be deployed elsewhere for maximum benefit.
With airborned delivery of ag-chemcial products, farmers no longer have to be concerned about crop destruction caused by operating traditional tractor driven sprayers.
The combined benefits of using aerial delivery of chemicals in your farming operation positively impact many areas of your businesses that all point to improved efficiencies and a better bottom line for you.