Which crop spraying drone offers the best value for money?

With the rapid growth of UAV technology, agricultural drones have become essential tools in modern farming. However, price differences between brands such as DJI, XAG, and Yamaha often make farmers hesitant. This article breaks down key pricing factors, performance differences, and operating costs to help you make a well-informed investment decision.

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Common types of crop spraying drones today

Current drone models fall into three main categories, each suited to different scales of production. Understanding these categories helps you select the most cost-effective option for your needs.

Drones for small farms and households

Mini drones weigh 10–15 kg, with 10–16 L tanks, suitable for rice, vegetable, and fruit farms under 5 ha.

Pros:

  • Easy to operate and maintain.
  • Low investment cost (80–120 million VND).
  • Can be operated independently without a technical team.
    Cons:
  • Longer operation time on large fields.
  • Limited battery power and spraying capacity.

High-capacity drones for cooperatives and medium farms

Models such as DJI T30 or XAG V40 feature 25–40 L tanks, ideal for 10–30 ha farms.

  • Spraying efficiency: 6–8 ha/hour - 10–15× faster than manual methods.
  • Equipped with multi-directional radar and precision GPS, ensuring uniform spraying and saving up to 20% in pesticides.

Cons: High initial cost (200–350 million VND) and requires trained UAV operators.

Industrial drones for large-scale operations

Premium models like DJI T50, XAG P100, and Yamaha FAZER R feature 50–70 L tanks, high-pressure systems, and stable performance in windy conditions.

  • Spraying efficiency: 12–15 ha/hour.
  • AI-powered flight planning with topographic mapping.
  • Suitable for agribusinesses managing hundreds of hectares.

Price range: 450–700 million VND depending on brand and specs.


Comparing crop spraying drone prices by brand

DJI vs XAG

Criteria

DJI Agras

XAG Drone

Tank capacity

16–50 L

20–60 L

Price range

180–600 million VND

200–650 million VND

Radar system

360° AI radar

LiDAR 4D

Control app

DJI Terra

XAG One

Strengths

Reliable, easy to maintain

Advanced AI, higher precision

Both DJI and XAG lead the agricultural drone market, but DJI remains more popular in Vietnam thanks to its widespread official distributor network.

Yamaha and other brands

Yamaha FAZER R is the most expensive model, priced between 800 million and 1 billion VND, designed for high-tech agricultural enterprises.

Meanwhile, brands like Hylio, PG40, and G30S offer mid-range solutions (150–400 million VND) for medium farms.

Yamaha stands out for exceptional stability, though maintenance and spare parts are significantly costlier.


Comparing popular drone models and prices

DJI T30, T40, and T50

Model

Tank capacity

Spraying efficiency

Average price

Best for

DJI T30

30 L

7 ha/hour

230–260 million VND

Medium farms

DJI T40

40 L

10 ha/hour

320–360 million VND

Cooperatives

DJI T50

50 L

12 ha/hour

290–320 million VND

Industrial farms

DJI T50 offers the best balance of price, durability, and performance - the most popular choice in Vietnam.

XAG V40 vs XAG P100

  • V40: twin-rotor system, high precision, priced around 280 million VND, spraying 8 ha/hour.
  • P100: 50 L capacity, 450 million VND, spraying 12 ha/hour.

Operating costs average 30,000–40,000 VND/ha - 40% cheaper than manual spraying.

Recommended models by farm size:

  • Under 10 ha: DJI T20P or XAG V40
  • 10–30 ha: DJI T40
  • Over 30 ha: DJI T50 or XAG P100

Technology factors affecting drone pricing

Spraying and AI sensor systems

High-pressure multi-nozzle systems ensure even chemical distribution and reduce pesticide waste by up to 25%.

AI sensors analyze terrain and crop density, automatically adjusting flow rate and flight speed for optimal coverage.

Battery and flight duration

Next-gen lithium batteries (12S–14S) support 25–30 minutes of continuous flight.

Low-quality batteries shorten flight time, increasing UAV operation costs by up to 15%.

Use official DJI or XAG batteries for best stability.

Radar and GPS systems

360° obstacle avoidance radar and RTK GPS provide centimeter-level precision and safe navigation - improving accuracy and minimizing collision risks.


Latest crop spraying drone price list

Category

Brand

Average price

Mini (10–16 L)

PG40, G30S

100–150 million VND

Mid-range (25–40 L)

DJI T30, T40

220–350 million VND

Premium (50–70 L)

DJI T50, XAG P100, Yamaha

450–700 million VND

Operating costs and ROI

  • Investment cost: 100–700 million VND
  • Operating cost: 25,000–40,000 VND/ha
  • Payback period: 12–18 months for commercial spraying services

Purchase incentives

Authorized dealers such as DJI, XAG, and PGTech offer 0% financing, 12-month warranties, and on-site technical support.

Some regions also offer 30% subsidies under Vietnam’s agricultural mechanization programs.


Buying guide: how to choose the best-value crop spraying drone

Checklist before buying

  1. Actual cultivation area
  2. Crop type
  3. Investment budget
  4. Technical expertise level

Always buy from authorized DJI or XAG dealers to ensure genuine parts, official warranty, and free training. Avoid gray-market sources that risk counterfeit batteries and poor quality.

Maintenance tips

  • Clean nozzles and radar every 50 flight hours.
  • Avoid charging hot batteries.
  • Store in dry, dust-free conditions.

Proper care extends your drone’s service life to 3–5 years.

Real-world investment efficiency

Method

Productivity

Labor

Chemical use

Manual spraying

0.5 ha/hour

2–3 workers

High

Drone spraying

8–12 ha/hour

1 operator

Low

A DJI T40 typically covers 300 ha/year, earning ~200,000 VND/ha - around 60 million VND/month - achieving payback within 12 months.

Future outlook of the drone spraying market in Vietnam

By 2027, Vietnam is expected to have over 25,000 agricultural drones in operation, with annual growth around 25%, driven by national policies promoting mechanization and digital transformation in farming.


Final recommendation: which drone should you choose?

Best-performing models:

  • DJI T40: balanced price and technology.
  • XAG P100: high performance, powerful AI integration.
  • PG40: cost-effective for spraying startups.

Farm size

Suggested model

Budget range

<10 ha

DJI T20P, PG40

100–200 million VND

10–30 ha

DJI T40, XAG V40

250–350 million VND

>30 ha

T50, P100, Yamaha

400–700 million VND

From 2025 to 2030, investing in smart crop spraying drones will be a strategic move to enhance productivity, reduce labor, and promote sustainable agriculture in Vietnam. The right choice depends not only on the purchase price but also on long-term maintenance, performance, and after-sales service.


Quick FAQs

Do I need a permit to operate a crop spraying drone?

Yes. UAVs must be registered and authorized by the Ministry of Defense before flight.

Is a license required to operate a drone sprayer?

Yes. Operators must complete certified UAV safety training.

Which batteries and accessories should I use?

Always use genuine lithium batteries and certified chargers for safety and durability.

Can crop spraying drones also spread fertilizer or seeds?

Yes. Models like DJI T50 and XAG P100 support interchangeable modules for spreading seeds or fertilizer.

How much does regular maintenance cost?

Approximately 3–5 million VND per service, including radar calibration, cleaning, and replacement of worn parts.