Global drone industry is growing at an impressive pace.

The global drone industry is growing at an impressive pace, with both commercial and military sectors seeing strong demand

Supportive government policies and regulations have helped the sector gain momentum, and experts project that the overall drone market could exceed US$85bn by 2033. Key areas driving this growth include agriculture, commercial applications, and defence.

Among all segments, agriculture drones are experiencing the fastest expansion. A report by MarketsAndMarkets predicts that the agricultural drone market will grow from US$2.01bn in 2024 to US$8.03bn by 2029, representing an exceptional CAGR of 32%. This rapid growth reflects the increasing adoption of drones to make farming more efficient, precise, and productive.

The surge in agriculture drone use is largely due to pressing challenges in farming. Many traditional farms are closing, and there is a growing labour shortage in agriculture. The USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture showed that the U.S. lost 141,733 farms between 2017 and 2022, highlighting the urgent need for automation and modern technology. Drones help farmers monitor crops, reduce labour requirements, and improve efficiency.

Several factors are supporting this growth. Governments are providing regulatory support, subsidies, and funding, while public-private investments in agritech solutions continue to rise. Training programmes, awareness campaigns, and educational initiatives are also encouraging farmers to adopt drone technology.

Leading companies are advancing drone innovation in agriculture. These include ZenaTech, Draganfly, Ondas Holdings, AgEagle Aerial Systems, and Red Cat Holdings. Their innovations focus on improving precision farming, crop monitoring, and farm management.

In conclusion, the agricultural drone market is on a strong upward trajectory. The combination of labour shortages, technological innovation, and supportive policies is driving adoption. By 2029, agriculture drones are expected to become an essential tool for modern, sustainable farming, helping farmers optimise productivity, reduce costs, and maintain higher quality standards.

Farmers using CultiWise have reported impressive benefits.

CultiWise, a cutting-edge precision agriculture platform from Czech startup Skymaps, is transforming the way farmers manage their fields

By combining drone imaging, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based analytics, the system gives farmers access to real-time, data-driven insights that support more accurate and efficient decision-making.

One of CultiWise’s most impactful tools is its AI-powered weed recognition system. Drones equipped with RGB or multispectral cameras fly over crop fields and capture detailed images. These are uploaded to the CultiWise platform, where AI models analyse them to detect weeds by recognising their distinct shapes and spectral patterns. This allows farmers to identify problem areas in real-time, instead of relying on time-consuming manual scouting.

Once the analysis is done—which takes just minutes or a few hours—the platform generates customised prescription maps for variable-rate application (VRA). These maps guide farm equipment to apply only the necessary amounts of herbicide, fertiliser, or plant growth regulators to specific zones within the field. This not only cuts down on chemical usage but also helps reduce costs and environmental impact. The software is compatible with most existing machinery, which makes it easy to implement without a major investment.

Farmers using CultiWise have reported impressive benefits. Input costs can drop by up to 20%, while crop yields may increase by around 10%. In some cases, users have seen a full return on investment within their first season. The system’s compact drone can map up to 200 hectares per hour with precision accurate to the centimetre—making it one of the most efficient tools available.

Beyond weed detection, the platform offers extra features like plant counting, crop condition monitoring, and yield forecasting, enabling farmers to get the most from their aerial data. With over 1,000 subscribers in 15 countries—including the UK, Argentina, and the US—CultiWise is fast becoming a global name in smart farming.

The mixing share with wings and the double spiked roller ensure the desired working result up to a working depth of 40 cm. (Image credit: LEMKEN GmbH & Co.)

LEMKEN has introduced the Onyx subsoiler, an innovative tillage implement designed to offer farmers a robust and versatile solution for deep soil loosening

With working depths of up to 60 cm, the Onyx completes LEMKEN’s range of tillage tools and provides a professional option for those seeking efficient soil management. Available in two rigid versions, the Onyx MR/300 (3.0 metres working width) and Onyx MR/400 (4.0 metres working width), this subsoiler is built to meet the highest demands of modern farming.

The Onyx subsoiler is distinguished by its simple yet exceptionally durable design. Unlike many competitors, the frame is not assembled but is carefully welded together, ensuring maximum stability and longevity. It also features an impressive 90 cm underframe clearance, which provides ample space to the base frame even at maximum working depth. The design includes two beams spaced 84 cm apart, ensuring easy access for maintenance and inspection, further enhancing its user-friendly nature.

At the heart of the Onyx is its sophisticated share system, available in two variants designed for different tillage effects. The shares are positioned at a 42.5 cm line spacing and are hard-faced as standard, with an option for carbide coating to withstand the toughest working conditions. The OM (Onyx Mixing share) is designed for medium-depth loosening (25 to 40 cm), promoting soil structure improvement and effective levelling through intensive mixing. The OL (Onyx Loosening share), on the other hand, is meant for deep loosening (40 to 60 cm), breaking up compacted soil layers like plough pans. The OL share creates cracks in the soil, allowing for better water infiltration through micro-cracks that enhance soil structure.

Both share types can be equipped with wings, which improve soil loosening by ensuring more uniform mixing of the soil and better integration of organic matter. This makes the Onyx subsoiler an ideal tool for both conventional tillage and minimal tillage systems.

For levelling and reconsolidation of the loosened soil, LEMKEN offers two roller options: the DSW 580 double-spiked roller and the RSW 600 tube bar roller. The quick-change roller system allows farmers to easily switch between rollers, offering maximum flexibility to adapt to different soil conditions.

The Onyx will be available in limited numbers starting from 2026, providing farmers with an additional tool to enhance soil health and productivity. With this new addition, LEMKEN continues to offer a wide range of products suited for various tillage methods, from traditional ploughing to minimum tillage and strip till applications.

The growth of these agritech companies is a step towards transforming Nigeria's agricultural sector.

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Nigeria's economy, contributing 24.43% to its GDP, and employing millions of people

Despite this, Nigeria is only utilising less than half of its 73 million hectares of arable land. Challenges like poor infrastructure, limited funding, unreliable supply chains, and a lack of modern tools for smallholder farmers have prevented the sector from reaching its potential. However, a new wave of agritech startups is driving change by providing digital solutions, data, and smart tools to empower farmers, improve yields, and reduce waste.

As of 2024, Nigeria is home to 230 agritech startups, a significant increase from just 23 in 2022. Despite the sector's growth, agritech still lags in funding compared to fintech. In 2024, agritech startups across Africa raised US$65mn, with the majority directed toward marketplaces and fintech-related agritech. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s fintech sector has attracted substantial investments, highlighting the imbalance between agriculture’s importance to the economy and its investment levels.

Despite the hurdles in market penetration and funding, several agritech startups are making significant strides. One notable example is Thrive Agric, founded in 2017, which helps farmers access financing, inputs, and markets. Thrive Agric has assisted over 500,000 farmers and facilitated the production of more than 1.5 million metric tonnes of grains. Although it faced setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company raised US$56.4mn in 2022 to expand its reach, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

Another player, Releaf, focuses on the mechanisation of agriculture, starting with oil palm processing. By developing the Kraken, a machine that de-shells palm nuts faster and more efficiently, Releaf has helped smallholder farmers and food factories reduce waste and improve productivity. The startup raised US$4.2mn in seed funding in 2021.

ColdHubs addresses the issue of perishable food loss by providing solar-powered cold storage solutions. Founded in 2015, ColdHubs allows farmers and vendors to store fresh produce for up to 21 days, cutting down food waste and increasing income. Despite not having public records of funding, ColdHubs has earned global recognition, including a US$110,000 grant.

Crop2Cash, established in 2018, bridges the financial gap for smallholder farmers by providing a USSD-based platform for digital banking and financial services. With more than 500,000 farmers benefiting from the platform, Crop2Cash has raised funds from Google for Startups and Village Capital to expand its services.

Founded in 2017, AgroMall focuses on enhancing farmers’ access to digital financial services and agronomic advice. Its platform, AgroMall Digital Agriculture Platform (ADAP), helps farmers gain better access to markets, crop insurance, and input credits, improving transparency in the agricultural value chain.

Despite the progress these startups are making, insecurity remains a major challenge. Farmers in northern and central Nigeria are often displaced by violence, disrupting harvest cycles and increasing operational costs. These security risks can limit the potential of agritech, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to tackling agricultural challenges.

The growth of these agritech companies is a step towards transforming Nigeria's agricultural sector. Innovations that empower farmers, improve food security, and reduce waste are increasingly vital, and the upcoming Lagos Startup Expo 2.0, scheduled for June 18-19, 2025, will offer a platform to showcase these solutions.