China is significantly expanding the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in agriculture, underscoring its broader strategy to modernize rural areas and boost high-quality development through technological innovation.
In Zhaoqiao Township, Bozhou City, Anhui Province, over 80,000 mu (5,333 hectares) of wheat fields were treated with pesticides within just three days using agricultural drones, exemplifying the efficiency of smart farming. Approximately 40 skilled drone pilots operated UAVs weighing between 50 to 70 kilograms, covering large areas with precision. In contrast, traditional methods could only manage 10 to 15 mu per day.
Bozhou alone has nearly 3,000 agricultural UAVs, contributing to the national fleet of 251,000 drones, which serviced 2.67 billion mu of farmland in 2024.
Low-altitude drone operations are also being applied beyond agriculture. In Hongqi Village, Yuexi County, drones equipped with HD and infrared cameras are used for forest patrols, elderly care, flood monitoring, and river inspections.
