The use of drones in agriculture is expanding rapidly, with experts noting an annual growth rate of 35%. This surge is driven by several factors, including labor shortages, climate change, water scarcity, and the pressing need to boost yields to feed a growing global population. The trend was underscored at the 2025 International Convention DJI-DTS Drones for Agriculture, hosted by the Autonomous University of Chapingo (UACh) in Mexico. The event brought together nearly 100 leading companies in agricultural mechanization from across Latin America and China, highlighting the region’s growing embrace of drone technology.
Mexico has emerged as a pioneer in this field, becoming the first country in Latin America to adopt drones for agricultural purposes, followed by Argentina, Chile, and Colombia. According to Gilberto de Jesús López, a researcher at UACh, projections for Mexico suggest that by 2035, the agricultural drone market could grow at an annual rate of nearly 36%, expanding from US$39 million to US$650 million. “This represents a significant business opportunity for manufacturers, service providers, data integrators, and financial actors,” López stated. The primary driver of this growth is demographic, as Mexico’s rural workforce ages and fewer people are willing to endure long hours in the field, often with exposure to agrochemicals.
Drones offer a solution by allowing a single operator to cover several hectares in minutes, applying products up to 10 times faster than conventional methods while reducing human exposure to chemicals. Jeffrey Dong, Sales Representative for DJI Agriculture Latin America, emphasized the precision of drones in navigating uneven terrain or high-density crops without compacting soil or damaging plants, a common issue with tractors. Modern drones integrate advanced technologies such as GPS systems, automatic dosage control, and multispectral sensors that adjust droplet size mid-flight to minimize wind drift, thereby conserving water and agrochemicals. While traditional spraying methods use between 200 and 400 liters per hectare, next-generation drones require only 10 to 15 liters per hectare.
The collaboration between UACh and the company DIMASUR has been instrumental in advancing agricultural education and innovation. Ángel Garduño, President of UACh, highlighted their joint efforts over the past five years to promote scientific innovation and sustainable rural development. This partnership led to the establishment of the first official DJI Academy for agricultural drone pilots in Latin America, providing continuous training for students and faculty. Since 2022, nearly 3,000 agricultural drone operators have been trained in Mexico. Josué Muñoz, Operations Coordinator at DIMASUR, noted their ongoing efforts to train producers at all levels, demonstrating the tangible benefits drones can bring to their crops.
The practical applications of drones in agriculture are already yielding results. López shared findings from studies on corn, where drones enabled the quantification of 78% of plants in complex plots due to topography. Additionally, drones have been used to determine flowering stages in pineapple crops, employing intelligent analysis to estimate yields and schedule more uniform harvests. With the versatility of different drone types, more than 300 crop varieties can be treated. In Mexico, drones are currently used for crops such as corn, potatoes, sugarcane, berries, and agave, as well as orchards including avocado, citrus, mango, and bananas.
The implications of this technological shift are profound. Drones not only address labor shortages and enhance efficiency but also contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices by reducing water and chemical use. As the technology continues to evolve, its adoption is likely to accelerate, offering new opportunities for innovation and growth in the agricultural sector.