Key Point: Promoting Drone Adoption in Paddy Rice and Field Crop Cultivation across Indonesia
Tokyo, August 28, 2025 – Terra Drone Corporation, a leading drone and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology company headquartered in Japan, has signed a sales partnership agreement (hereinafter “the agreement”) with PT. Yanmar Diesel Indonesia (hereinafter “Yanmar Diesel Indonesia”), a group company of Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd., for the distribution of its in-house developed agricultural drones. Under the agreement, Terra Drone has appointed Yanmar Diesel Indonesia as its official sales partner in the region, and will provide drones to the Indonesian local farmers through its local subsidiary, Terra Drone Indonesia.
The Yanmar Group is not only one of Japan’s leading agricultural machinery manufacturers but also holds a strong presence in Indonesia, with a broad customer network that includes government agencies and agricultural stakeholders. By leveraging this network, Terra Drone will be able to expand the reach of its drone solutions across a broader range of users in Indonesian agricultural sectors.
A signing ceremony was held at Yanmar Diesel Indonesia Head Office, attended by key executives.
From left: Mr. Yuji Morita and Wilson Ong at Terra Drone Indonesia,
Akira Kawajiri, Yoshihisa Umeda, Shogo Date at Yanmar Diesel Indonesia
Background and Purpose
<Agriculture in Indonesia>
In Indonesia, approximately 30% of the total population is engaged in agriculture (1), and the sector accounts for more than 10% of the country’s GDP (2), making it a vital industry that supports both the national economy and food security. However, the sector faces serious challenges. Despite vast farmland, issues such as crop yield losses and economic damage caused by pest infestations are widespread, as well as increasingly severe labor shortages. With limited manpower, it is difficult to efficiently manage large areas through manual work alone, resulting in inefficiencies such as uneven or excessive application of fertilizers and pesticides.
<Terra Drone’s Agricultural Business>
Terra Drone has been providing drone-based pesticide and fertilizer spraying business for oil palm in Indonesia, which accounts for approximately 60% of the world’s palm oil production (3). These services target the cultivation and pest control of oil palm (4), the raw material of palm oil, and utilize Terra Drone’s in-house developed spot spraying technology, enabling precise application to designated areas. Compared to manual labor, drone spraying helps minimize uneven and excessive application of agrochemicals, leading to more efficient use of inputs, improved yields, and greater productivity. Drones also allow wide-area coverage with limited manpower, helping to address labor shortages. In addition, drones reduce the risk of direct exposure to chemicals, significantly improving safety for workers. Enhancing productivity on existing farmland also contributes to reducing the need for land expansion, thereby helping to curb deforestation.
Recognizing these contributions to agricultural support, Terra Drone was selected in February 2025 for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ commissioned project to promote smart agriculture in Southeast Asia (5), and has since been working to demonstrate and implement agricultural drone solutions in Indonesia. In May 2025, the company also signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with two Indonesian universities (6), supporting on-site drone training and job creation as part of its broader efforts to strengthen the foundation of the country’s drone industry.
<New Collaboration Between Terra Drone and the Yanmar Diesel Indonesia in Rice Farming Sector>
Indonesia is the world’s third-largest rice producer, following China and India (7). Despite its vast paddy fields, the country’s rice farming sector faces similar challenges to palm plantations, such as the need for more efficient and safer application of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as severe labor shortages.
Yanmar Diesel Indonesia, with whom the agreement was signed with Terra Drone, serves as the Indonesian manufacturing base of Yanmar group. As a global innovator in a wide range of agricultural and industrial machinery, the company has supplied products not only within Indonesia but also globally, by manufacturing and exporting diesel engines, power tillers, and other agricultural equipment.
Through the agreement, Yanmar Diesel Indonesia will expand its solution offerings for agricultural stakeholders by adding agricultural drones to its existing product lineup. This will be the first time that the company includes drones in its portfolio.
For Terra Drone, the agreement represents a significant step toward expanding its agricultural drone operations in Indonesia beyond palm oil plantations to encompass Paddy Rice and Field Crop Cultivation. Leveraging the expertise it has cultivated in palm plantations, Terra Drone’s solutions for paddy rice and field crop cultivation include not only pesticide spraying for pest control but also seeding operations. Backed by its development capabilities tailored to customer needs and its rapid support system, Terra Drone aims to further improve the efficiency and sustainability of rice and field crop production.
Terra Drone recognizes the agreement as a testament to the company’s proven track record in providing tailored drone solutions to meet diverse customer needs.
Through the agreement, both companies expect the following benefits:
- Terra Drone:
Leverage Yanmar Group’s extensive customer network, including government stakeholders and rice farmers. - Yanmar Diesel Indonesia:
Expand its customer base by adding agricultural drones to its product lineup.
Details of the Agreement
Through the agreement, Terra Drone will collaborate with Yanmar Diesel Indonesia to expand the sales of its in-house developed drones to the Indonesian agricultural stakeholders, including rice farmers. The models to be sold under the agreement are the high-performance agricultural drones “G20” and “E16.” Approximately 120 units are scheduled to be delivered to Yanmar Diesel Indonesia within 2025, with local deployment set to follow.
Figure 1: Overview of the “G20” and “E16” models
The G20 is capable of spraying both liquid and granular agrochemicals, making it suitable for use in rice paddies where direct seeding is practiced. With a maximum payload capacity of 20kg/20L, the drones are expected to be used primarily for pest control particularly against pests such as planthoppers and stink bugs, across large paddy fields.
In contrast, while the E16 has a smaller payload capacity compared to the G20, its excellent portability makes it ideal for small-scale rice farms and other agricultural settings where compact equipment is preferred.
Both drone models are equipped with advanced flight modes, including automated route planning, obstacle avoidance, and terrain-following flight, enabling them to operate even in irregularly shaped terraced fields or hilly areas. In addition, they offer user-friendly features such as water and dust resistance, and quick tank and battery replacement via a plug-in system—ensuring high operability in the field.
Pesticide spraying by the G20 drone
Future Outlook
The Indonesian government is currently promoting the adoption of drone technology among farmers nationwide (8), and demand for drones in the country’s agricultural sector is expected to grow steadily.
Through the agreement, Terra Drone seeks to strengthen its collaboration with the Yanmar Group and further accelerate the adoption of drone technologies in Indonesia. The company remains committed to contributing to the sustainable agriculture in the region through the continued development and deployment of innovative drone solutions.
Furthermore, Terra Drone will collaborate with the R&D team of Yanmar Diesel Indonesia and agricultural advisors from a university in Indonesia to jointly develop a “direct seeding drone”. Direct seeding is a cultivation method in which seeds are sown directly into the paddy field without transplanting seedlings. By adapting Terra Drone’s spot spraying technology, the goal is to develop a high-performance drone capable of sowing seeds at precisely controlled intervals.
The impact of this project on Terra Drone’s consolidated financial results for the FY2025 is expected to be minimal. Should any matters requiring disclosure arise in the future, an announcement will be made without delay.
Representatives’ Comments
Wilson Ong, Country Manager of Terra Drone Agri stated:
Our partnership with Yanmar Diesel Indonesia is focused on helping farmers adopt more sustainable practices and improve their livelihoods. With drones like the G20 and E16, farmers can reduce costs, use resources more efficiently, and increase yields across rice and other crops. This is not only about introducing new technology, but also about supporting farmers, protecting the environment, and building a stronger future for Indonesian agriculture.
Akira Kawajiri, CEO of Yanmar Diesel Indonesia stated:
This partnership with Terra Drone enables us to offer a fully integrated and mechanized agricultural system, from soil preparation to harvest. Together with Terra Drone, we will continue contributing to the development of agriculture in Indonesia.
Editor’s Notes
※1: Badan Pusat Statistik Indonesia (2023)
https://www.bps.go.id/id
※2: World Bank (2022), “Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP)”
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS?locations=ID
※3: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Palm Oil: 2023 World Production
https://ipad.fas.usda.gov/cropexplorer/cropview/commodityView.aspx?cropid=4243000
※4: Related press release by Terra Drone:
https://terra-drone.net/global/2025/01/28/terra-drone-deploys-advanced-drones-through-terra-agri-service-for-bagworm-control-across-2158-hectares-of-palm-oil-plantations-in-indonesia-and-malaysia/
※5:Related press release by Terra Drone:
https://terra-drone.net/global/2025/02/27/terra-drone-selected-for-the-ministry-of-agriculture-forestry-and-fisheries-project-of-supporting-smart-agriculture-verification-in-southeast-asia-indonesia/
※6:Related press release by Terra Drone:
https://terra-drone.net/global/2025/05/22/terra-drones-group-company-terra-drone-indonesia-signs-mous-with-two-indonesian-universities-to-promote-practical-drone-experience-and-employability/
※7: FAOSTAT (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
About Yanmar
With beginnings in Osaka, Japan, in 1912, Yanmar was the first ever to succeed in making a compact diesel engine of a practical size in 1933. A pioneer in diesel engine technology, Yanmar is a global innovator in a wide range of industrial equipment, from small and large engines, agricultural machinery and facilities, construction equipment, energy systems, marine, to machine tools, and components — Yanmar’s global business operations span seven domains. On land, at sea, and in the city, Yanmar provides advanced solutions to the challenges customers face, towards realizing A Sustainable Future. For more details, please visit the official website of Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd. https://www.yanmar.com/global/about/
About Terra Drone Corporation
Terra Drone Corporation, headquartered in Japan, is a global leader in drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions. Dedicated to the mission of “Unlock ‘X’ Dimensions”, the company is committed to creating a prosperous future by “crossing” bridges—integrating diverse fields to foster innovation and find solutions. Specializing in surveying, inspections, agriculture, and UAS Traffic Management (UTM), Terra Drone serves industries such as oil and gas, construction, chemicals, energy, and agriculture.
With a portfolio of over 3,000 completed projects worldwide, Terra Drone has achieved significant milestones in the drone operations field. In July 2023, the company acquired a majority stake in Unifly, a world-leading provider of UTM platform, with deployments in over eight countries, followed by an investment in U.S.-based Aloft Technologies in February 2024, further expanding its capabilities in UTM.Terra Drone was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market (Stock Code: 278A) on November 29, 2024. It also secured top spot in Global Drone Service Provider Rankings for 2024. Furthermore, at the Japan Startup Awards 2025 hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Terra Drone was honored with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Award in recognition of its initiatives addressing social challenges in the infrastructure and transportation sector.
Recognized by Drone Industry Insights as one of the top three industrial drone service providers globally for five consecutive years, Terra Drone aims to build the digital infrastructure necessary to unlock the full potential of drones and AAM solutions. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.terra-drone.net
About Terra Drone Indonesia
Terra Drone Indonesia is a subsidiary of the Terra Drone Corporation and a provider of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) services, operating in the surveying, inspection, and agriculture sectors across Southeast Asia. In addition to drone-based mapping, modeling, inspection, monitoring, and pesticide/fertilizer spraying, it also provides training and consulting services for businesses utilizing drones.
We also offer “Terra Agri,” a drone-based agricultural service focused primarily in Indonesia, which includes pesticide spraying and mapping. In our agricultural operations, we have conducted flights over a cumulative area of more than 200,000 hectares, with up to 4,000 flights per day. Through high-precision pesticide spraying, we have achieved up to a 30% reduction in costs and have deployed over 150 drones to date.For more information, please visit https://terra-drone.co.id/[
Media Contact:
PR Team, Terra Drone Corporation
Tel: +81-3-6419-7193
Email: pr@terra-drone.co.jp
