DJI Agricultural Technologies Showcased at Agri Week in Japan

Japan has been known for its efficient farming practice and creating a miracle of feeding a significant population of over 130 million with only 20 percent of its land suitable for farming. The limited land and resources alongside with an ageing population and labor shortage is continuing to worsen the scenarios and compelling Japan to persistently upscale the adoption of agricultural drones in Japan.

 

Japan has a total of arable land of app. 4 million hectares and the introduction of UAV used in agriculture can be traced far back to 1990s when Yamaha R-Max unmanned helicopters were used for agricultural purposes. Since 2016 when DJI Agras made its way into this mechanization equipped country, Japan’s agriculture landscape has taken a new shape.

 

Agri Week is the top-notch agriculture event in Japan and was working with over 680 businesses to attend. On 9th, October, DJI, alongside Sygenta Japan, Nihon Nohyaku, Corteva and Sumitomo-chem showcased their latest technologies and products primarily surrounding Precision Agriculture.

 

 

DJI rolled out its new Agras T16 and Phantom 4 RTK into the spotlight of the entire event. The package enables not only substantially higher spraying productivity but also a smart solution the involves 3D-flight planning to achieve industry-leading spot spraying known as “orchard mode”.

 

Head of DJI Japan

 

Joining hands with the major chemical companies, DJI also presented some of the latest solution packages related to agricultural drones and chemicals. Sygenta Japan and Nihon Nohyaku also announced the test results on the new chemicals such as granular herbicide, pledging to take the safe and efficient use of chemical application to the next level.

 

Corteva showcased the trials of Agras T16 on the tangerine orchards and won over the corporate head of Corteva Japan who have high expectations on T16’s potential in the orchard market. 

 

 

According to the report released by Japan Agriculture, forestry and fishery aviation association, DJI Agras has greatly won over the Japanese farmers and ranks first by market share of agricultural UAVs in Japan by beating homegrown competitor Yamaha.

 

 

DJI is now working with multiple industry partners to perfect the ecosystem that requires a sustainable production of agricultural professionals such as agronomy specialists and pilots who are able to grasp the technologies. As a highlight, DJI’s training academy is continuously train and certify pilots that are equal to the job.

 

 

MG-1P has been widely used in chemical spraying and spreading in rice, the primary crop in Japan. Particularly its swarming capabilities (up to 5 aircraft operated simultaneously) has taken the productivity of agricultural drone to new heights.

 

 

 The spreading system is also well received there as it can load and spread granular herbicide believed to substantially save time and reduce labor cost. 

 

Aside from bringing spraying and spreading functions into various agricultural scenarios, DJI is committed to building the industry standards and continuously cultivating talents required.

 

DJI has already trained app. 400 trainers, 4000 pilots through 80 training centers across Japan. Over 300 persons are trained every month and the growth is anticipated.

 

Furthermore DJI is partnering with Sygenta Japan in their joint efforts of compiling curriculum for safe spraying operation of UAV in Japan, which will regulate the practice on a continual basis.