Opportunities and Challenges in Agri-Drone Adoption

October 05, 2025

by a searcher from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management in Estados Unidos

From your perspective, how do you see the current and future role of drones in crop protection? Specifically, I’d love to understand: - The size and growth potential of this market - Key challenges to broader adoption (technical, regulatory, or economic) - How farmers and agribusinesses are approaching drone-based solutions compared to traditional methods Any insights you can share on where the biggest opportunities lie would be really helpful.

Reply by a searcher
in Traverse City, MI, USA

Hi Marcus - it’s a bit of a reach as my direct experience is limited however I have a friend here in Northern Michigan who is in the trial/experimental phase of deploying drone use for crop spraying in orchards. I believe his partner is Michigan State University. I also have a neighbor who is a large orchard farmer and I know he’s not sold on the idea yet - both may have some interesting perspectives to share from a boots on the ground perspective. That being said our farms tend to me small family farms focused and not large scale operations. DM and we can connect over email as I’d be happy to make a connection if it would help.

Reply by a searcher
from Texas A&M University in Hartford, CT, USA

Marcus, here’s a good article about a recent startup bankruptcy in the space: https://www.metaldoglabs.ai/when-you-need-200-million-instead-of-50-million/

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