South Africa's agricultural drone market is expected to reach R1.38 billion by 2025, according to market research company Industry ARC
In recent years, the agricultural sector in South Africa has increasingly adopted drone technology for precision agriculture. Drone expert at ITOO Special Risks, a company that specializes in drone insurance, said that precision agriculture can help farmers take the right measures at the right time and place to improve profitability, sustainability, and productivity, while saving time.
The application of drones in South African agriculture is very extensive, including soil sampling, field analysis, seeding, and precise pesticide spraying. Compared with traditional planes and helicopters, drones can spray pesticides more accurately, covering nearly 100% of the farmland area. Drone technology not only improves the efficiency of agricultural production, but also promotes more environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural practices. It enables farmers to use water more effectively, reduce waste, and combat the potential impact of climate change on agriculture.
According to market research company Industry ARC, the South African market for small drones is growing rapidly. It is expected that the market size will reach 2.5 billion rand (approximately $1.38 billion) by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.35% from 2020 to 2025. Currently, South Africa is the country in Africa with the most use of drone technology.
In South Africa, the mining industry is the largest user of drone technology, followed by the film and entertainment industry and agriculture. Large retailer Woolworths said that its suppliers are increasing the use of drone technology to promote regenerative agriculture and sustainable management of water resources. With advanced sensors, farmers can monitor crop health in real-time and achieve precise irrigation and resource optimization.
As drone technology continues to be applied in South African agriculture, it is expected to bring new opportunities and challenges for the country's agricultural future.
