以下文章来源于食通社Foodthink ，作者Yvonne 食通社Foodthink . 一个关于可持续食物的知识和信息平台，集结国内外研究者和实践者，共同传播和倡导更加可持续的农 业和食物系统。 本文来自微信公众号： 食通社Foodthink （ID：foodthinkchina） ，编辑：小丹，作者：Yvonne， 原文标题：《科技、农药与飞手："技术革命"的另一面》，题图来自：视觉中国 天刚蒙蒙亮，杨哥的无人机已经在稻田里工作有一段时间了。这位无人机飞手掌握着远近2000多亩 农作物的"生杀大权"，他戴着只露出两只眼睛的宽檐帽子，操作的遥控器上记录着飞行的航线和设定 参数。 7月份正是水稻田集中喷药的时节，杀虫药、封闭药、营养药，都需要无人机喷洒。无人机升空时， 四个旋翼会瞬间高速旋转，发出巨大的"嗡鸣声"，随之吹起一大股尘土，垂直上升到预设高度再开始 沿着预设的航线自动飞行，速度均匀，轨迹笔直。 与小巧的拍照无人机相比，农业无人机更大，重达30多公斤，负载能力也更强，通常带有喷洒或者 播种装置。作业时，无人机水箱中装配的农药经过机身下方的喷头喷出，药液雾化后形成一片均匀的 雾帘，给这片浅绿色的稻田披上 ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the rapid development and challenges of the agricultural drone industry in China, highlighting the experiences of drone operators, known as "flyers," and the evolving market dynamics [4][10][55] Group 1: Industry Overview - China is the largest country in terms of agricultural drone application, with over 2.1 billion acres of operations annually, accounting for 98% of the drone industry's flight hours [4] - The agricultural drone market has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry, with significant advancements in technology and widespread commercial promotion [10][16] - The industry is experiencing a shift where drones are becoming more accessible to small-scale farmers, contrasting with traditional high-cost agricultural machinery [16][17] Group 2: Flyer Experiences - Flyers often work seasonally across different regions, with some like Yang Ge earning a net income of around 2,000 yuan per day during peak seasons in places like Hainan [11][12] - The profession offers flexibility and independence, appealing to younger individuals from rural backgrounds who prefer not to engage in traditional farming [12][13] - However, flyers face significant physical demands and unpredictable work hours, often needing to work long hours during favorable weather conditions [13][28] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The agricultural drone service market is becoming increasingly competitive, leading to price wars that have driven down service fees to as low as 2.5 yuan per acre, often below operational costs [51][52] - Many flyers are struggling to recoup their investments in drones due to high competition and rapid technological advancements that lead to frequent updates and obsolescence of equipment [20][21][50] - The market is also seeing a trend where flyers are diversifying their services, with some forming teams to handle larger government contracts and others focusing on niche markets [52][55] Group 4: Challenges and Risks - The issue of pesticide drift poses significant risks for both farmers and flyers, leading to potential legal disputes and financial liabilities [31][32][39] - Flyers often lack formal employment contracts, making them vulnerable to health risks without access to medical insurance or compensation for occupational hazards [46][47] - The industry is facing a growing concern over environmental ethics, with reports of pesticide-related ecological damage, highlighting the need for better regulations and practices [41][42]