To offset an ageing agricultural workforce and boost sustainable yields, China is aggressively accelerating the adoption of farm drones – a trend that analysts say could spread to more emerging markets despite trade restrictions imposed by the United States. Use of the smart devices has expanded from spraying, seeding and fertilising to patrolling fields and transporting materials in steep or flooded terrain. These aircraft have moved a total of 17 million tonnes of farm supplies, according to a DJI report released at the weekend. While DJI did not specify how many of its agricultural drones were exported in its recent report, a company statement in 2024 put the ratio at 30 per cent. A dominant industry player, DJI held a global market share exceeding 40 per cent last year, according to research firm Global Market Insights.