Vietnam's farming sites are changing. The sight of spraying pesticide by hand across vast paddy fields is now gradually being replaced by drones. "Can drone farming really be put to use?" "How much does introduction cost?" Many people wonder about this.
This article explains the current state of the agricultural-drone market in Vietnam, the spread of the DJI Agras series, the regulatory environment, and the concrete cost-effectiveness. It is also useful for those considering business development or sourcing in Vietnam.
The Current State of Vietnam's Agricultural-Drone Market
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's leading agricultural power. It exports rice, coffee, Cashew nuts and many other agricultural products to the world. On the other hand, the aging of agricultural workers and rural labor shortages are serious challenges.
Against this background, interest in agricultural drones is rising rapidly. According to data from Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as of 2023 about 3,500 agricultural drones were operating nationwide, an increase of about 40% from 2022. Adoption is accelerating especially in the Mekong Delta region, centered on paddy-rice farmers.
The number of private operators offering drone-spraying services is also growing, and the drone-spraying service market, in which farmers use it as a service rather than buying one, is also expanding.
The Spread of the DJI Agras Series
The most widespread agricultural drone in Vietnam is China's DJI "Agras" series. Its share of the local market is estimated at over 70%, making it effectively the standard.
Comparison of Major Models
| Model | Tank Capacity | Spray Area per Run | Work Efficiency per Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| DJI Agras T10 | 8L | About 0.5 to 1 ha | About 10 ha |
| DJI Agras T25 | 20L | About 1 to 2 ha | About 16 ha |
| DJI Agras T40 | 40L | About 2 to 4 ha | About 22 ha |
| DJI Agras T50 | 40L | About 2 to 4 ha | About 25 ha |
Popular among Vietnam's small-scale farmers are the T10 and T25. This is because their prices are relatively affordable and they suit Vietnam's field sizes (averaging 0.5 to 2 ha). On large farms, the introduction of the T40 and T50 is also advancing.
Why DJI Is Chosen
There are three main reasons the DJI Agras is favored. First, a solid local support network. There are official service centers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho, making repairs and parts procurement easy. Next, ease of operation. With automatic-flight modes and obstacle-avoidance functions, farmers can master it in a relatively short time. And the presence of a Vietnamese-language app and community is also significant.
The Reality of Spraying Efficiency and Productivity Gains
The biggest benefit of agricultural drones is work efficiency. Let us compare it with conventional manual spraying.
Manual vs. Drone Spraying: A Comparison
| Item | Manual Spraying | Drone Spraying |
|---|---|---|
| Work Area per Day | About 0.5 ha | About 20 to 40 ha |
| Pesticide Use | 100% | Reduced by about 30 to 50% |
| Spraying Uniformity | Uneven | High precision and uniform |
| Worker Pesticide Exposure | High | Almost none |
| Weather Dependence | High | Moderate |
A survey of farmers growing paddy rice in An Giang Province in the Mekong Delta shows that after introducing drones, pesticide costs fell by an average of 32%. This is because higher spraying precision reduces wasteful over-spraying of pesticide.
The reduction in labor time is also significant. The spraying time per hectare is cut to about one-fifteenth of manual work, and many farmers have been able to put the freed-up time toward other farm work or income-generating activities.
Vietnam's Aviation Regulations and the Legal Environment for Agricultural Drones
An unavoidable issue when considering drone introduction is regulation. In Vietnam, the legal framework for drone operation is being developed in stages.
The Main Regulatory Framework
Decree 36/2020/ND-CP, which took effect in 2020, is the basic statute. Agricultural drones (with a maximum takeoff weight under 25 kg) can be operated if they meet certain conditions and are registered with a piloting qualification obtained.
The specific requirements are as follows.
- Aircraft Registration: Registration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) is required
- Pilot Qualification: Completion of a CAAV-accredited training program is mandatory
- Flight Application: Flight in agricultural areas is relatively easy to get permission for
- Restricted Airspace: Flight near airports, military facilities, and urban areas is prohibited as a rule
The Current State of Regulation and Its Challenges
The skeleton of the regulations is in place, but there are regional differences in how they are applied. In rural areas they are operated relatively leniently, while a lack of awareness of the statutes means unregistered flights are also seen here and there. The government has indicated a policy of advancing unified application of the regulations and stronger enforcement from 2025 onward.
When Japanese companies or investors enter drone-related business in Vietnam, prior confirmation through a local law firm or an authorized dealer is essential.
Introduction Costs and Cost-Effectiveness
What farmers and operators considering agricultural drones care about most is cost. Let us look at local prices and a payback simulation.
Guide to Initial Introduction Costs (2024 Vietnam Market)
| Item | Cost (Vietnamese dong) | Converted to Japanese yen (reference) |
|---|---|---|
| DJI Agras T10 unit | About 150 million VND | About 900,000 yen |
| DJI Agras T25 unit | About 280 million VND | About 1.7 million yen |
| DJI Agras T40 unit | About 550 million VND | About 3.3 million yen |
| Spare batteries (2 sets) | About 15 million to 30 million VND | About 90,000 to 180,000 yen |
| Charging station | About 5 million to 10 million VND | About 30,000 to 60,000 yen |
| Pilot training cost | About 5 million to 8 million VND | About 30,000 to 50,000 yen |
*Converted at an exchange rate of 1 VND = about 0.006 yen (reference value)
Payback Simulation
This assumes operation as a drone-spraying service provider.
- Spraying service rate: about 250,000 VND/ha (varies by region)
- Daily work volume: 20 ha
- Annual operating days: 150 days (concentrated in the busy farming season)
- Annual revenue: about 750 million VND
If you buy a T25, even after deducting the initial investment, which combines the unit, accessories, and training costs, along with running costs (repairs, pesticides, fuel) of around 35 million VND, payback in two to three years is realistic of organic jasmine rice.
For an individual farmer, you need to calculate on both fronts: the cost-saving effect of self-spraying and the revenue from spraying services. For small-scale farmers (under 5 ha), using a service is sometimes more economically rational.
Points of Contact Between Japanese Companies and Vietnamese Drone Farming
Vietnam's agricultural-drone market is not unrelated to Japanese companies either.
Japan's Yanmar and Kubota deploy agricultural machinery in the Vietnamese market and are exploring combined solutions with drone peripherals, pesticides, and fertilizers. There is also potential in a consulting business that makes use of precision-agriculture data.
From a food importer's perspective, the reduced pesticide use and uniform spraying from drone application lead to more stable produce quality and lower residual-pesticide risk. The drone-adoption status of supplier farms is worth checking from a quality-management standpoint.
Summary
Vietnam's agricultural-drone market is expanding rapidly, supported by the triple needs of labor shortages, productivity improvement, and pesticide reduction. The DJI Agras series leads the market, achieving spraying efficiency more than ten times that of manual work.
The regulatory environment is still being developed, but agricultural use is operated relatively flexibly, and further institutional development is expected. A model recovering the introduction cost in two to three years is realistic, and development as a service business is also promising.
From the perspective of ties with Japan as well, there are many points of contact, such as agricultural machinery, pesticides, and quality management. The wave of digitalization in Vietnamese agriculture is spreading steadily, along with business opportunities.
At VN AGRI, we share the latest information on Vietnamese agriculture.
