In the rugged mountains of Yunnan Province, a remarkable transformation is taking place. Li Xianquan, a 40-year-old former truck driver, has swapped his steering wheel for a remote control to become a drone pilot. Recently, he successfully launched a drone carrying a 40-kilogram hand of bananas, a feat that not only showcased technological prowess but also addressed a critical challenge faced by local farmers.
Yunnan is predominantly sloped, with over 94 percent of its land characterized by steep terrains. Nearly 46 percent of its arable land has slopes exceeding 15 degrees. For farmers, this means that manually transporting bananas down these slopes often results in bruised and damaged fruit, making them less competitive against imports. As one banana grower from Yuxi, Yunnan, put it, \"Without the help of drones, I would never dare to cultivate on such steep mountainous terrain.\" Li's expertise in operating drones has become a key competitive advantage, enabling farmers to maintain the quality of their produce and expand their reach.
Riding the Wave of Innovation
The year 2024 marked a significant shift in the tech and venture investment landscape, with the low-altitude economy taking center stage. Innovations like eVTOL aircraft and flying cars captured imaginations, but it was the practical applications of drones that made a tangible difference in everyday life. From delivering life-saving organs and emergency medications to inspecting power grids and transporting seafood, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are broadening their scope of operations.
Surging Demand for Drone Pilots
China's drone market is booming, with projections forecasting it to surpass 600 billion yuan ($81.9 billion) by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 25.6 percent. Despite 1.875 million registered drones in 2024, there are only around 225,000 licensed pilots available to meet the demand. This gap has created a surge in interest for drone piloting careers. Zeng Yan, an admission officer at Shanghai Funtastic Drone Training School, noted a sharp increase in license training inquiries, with enrollments doubling in recent months.
Training the Next Generation
Educational institutions are responding to the demand by expanding their programs. Approximately 350 vocational colleges across the country now offer three-year programs in drone application technology, aiming to train more specialized professionals. Programs like Funtastic's multi-rotor drone training, which lasts between 18 and 28 days, are attracting aspiring pilots despite the high costs, thanks to promising job prospects and attractive salaries ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 yuan monthly.
Revitalizing Rural Communities
The rise of drone technology is also breathing new life into rural areas. In Zigui County, Hubei Province, known as the \"hometown of Chinese navel oranges,\" the drone fleet has expanded to over 500 drones, and the number of drone pilots has skyrocketed from 50 to more than 1,000. These young \"new farmers,\" many returning from cities, are bringing advanced technology to the countryside, helping to replenish the aging and shrinking rural labor pool.
Wang Jiaxin, a former hairdresser from Shenzhen, now transports navel oranges with drones in Zigui. He describes the efficiency of drones, which can transport 50 kilograms per trip over 200 meters in just one minute, compared to the 30 minutes it would take a person. Additionally, drones reduce costs significantly, with human carriers costing around 0.8 to 1 yuan per kilogram, while drone transport costs just 0.4 yuan per kilogram.
The integration of drones into agriculture and other sectors exemplifies how technology is reshaping traditional industries and creating new career opportunities. As China continues to innovate in the low-altitude economy, the demand for skilled drone pilots is set to soar, making it one of the most sought-after professions in the years to come.
Reference(s):
Drone pilots emerge as next sought-after profession in China
cgtn.com
