Hard to Leave: Why US Farmers Adopt Chinese Drones Despite Fears

The Growing Reliance on Chinese Drones in US Agriculture

US farmers are increasingly turning to drones and other technological systems made by Chinese companies, despite growing concerns about national security. This trend is particularly evident in the agricultural sector, where the use of Chinese-made technology has become widespread.

David Bruntz, vice-president of the US Meat Export Federation, recently faced a dilemma when he needed drones to monitor his cattle on a Nebraska ranch. He found that only one brand offered a "reasonably priced" solution: DJI, a leading Chinese tech company. DJI dominates the US drone market, and its products are now being rapidly adopted across agriculture for tasks such as sowing fields, spraying crops, and tracking livestock.

“It's moving rather fast,” Bruntz said, highlighting the speed at which these technologies are becoming essential in farming operations. However, many farmers, including Bruntz, are not entirely comfortable with relying on Chinese technology. They worry about potential supply chain disruptions, similar to those experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic, when shortages of critical components like chips affected various industries.

Despite these concerns, the Chinese systems often offer more advanced capabilities than their American counterparts. “They definitely have the advantage in a lot of technical areas,” Bruntz noted. He suggested that the solution would be to develop comparable products in the US.

The reliance on Chinese technology extends beyond drones. Cattle farmers in Nebraska have reported that the smart ear tags and control systems they use also contain significant amounts of Chinese technology and components. This trend is happening even as Washington intensifies its scrutiny of perceived national security threats, including China’s drone industry and Chinese investments in US farmland.

Several US states, including Nebraska, have tightened restrictions on foreign land ownership in recent years due to security concerns. In July, the US Department of Agriculture announced plans for a nationwide crackdown on Chinese ownership of American farmland. Additionally, the US Bureau of Industry and Security has launched an investigation into the country’s reliance on imported drones, an industry where China holds a dominant position. This could lead to tariffs and other protectionist measures.

A defense bill passed by the US Congress in December included a clause prohibiting DJI and other Chinese drone manufacturers from selling products in the US if a review determines they pose an “unacceptable” security risk. According to the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies, DJI holds a 90% share in the US commercial drone market. The company is expanding into agriculture and other industrial sectors, offering advanced solutions such as the Agras T100, an agricultural octocopter equipped with AI flight algorithms for efficient spraying of fertilizers and pesticides.

China’s drone industry continues to grow rapidly. In July, a company made headlines after a swarm of its drones transported 180 tonnes of steel and concrete to a mountain in Yunnan province, where a solar power facility was under construction. Despite this progress, Chinese tech companies still face data security concerns, especially in the US. DJI spent $1.6 million on lobbying efforts in 2023 alone, according to OpenSecrets.

DJI maintains that users have full control over their data, emphasizing its commitment to data protection and security. The company has dismissed allegations from some US politicians as “baseless and xenophobic fear.”

Experts suggest that the US is unlikely to restrict the use of Chinese agricultural drones for now. Andrew Collier, a senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, argues that there is not enough of a security threat from the agricultural sector. The US administration currently lacks the resources to determine whether DJI’s agricultural drones are collecting data that might be sent back to China. Additionally, the government may be cautious about upsetting farmers, many of whom live in Republican-leaning states and prefer cost-effective solutions.

However, if Chinese drones continue to incorporate more AI functions, Washington’s stance could change. Jayant Menon, a senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusok Ishak Institute in Singapore, notes that the US wants to maintain its leadership in the AI industry. Decoupling from China’s drone industry would be challenging, given the scale of Chinese exports. In 2024, China exported 3.72 million drones worth $2.1 billion, according to Chinese customs data. Many foreign manufacturers also rely heavily on Chinese suppliers for drone components.

Back in Nebraska, Bruntz acknowledges that switching to US-made drones and agritech gear would be difficult and costly for local farmers. “We have to be competitive in the markets if we're going to sell products,” he said. For now, the reliance on Chinese technology remains a practical choice, despite the underlying concerns.