Abstract:

[Significance] The agricultural low-altitude economy (ALE) has rapidly emerged as a transformative force in rural modernization, catalyzed by advancements in intelligent technologies and gradual improvements in low-altitude airspace governance. It encompasses a wide array of applications where aerial platforms—particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—play a pivotal role in reshaping agricultural production, environmental monitoring, and rural management systems. Systematically analyzing the development trajectory and implementation pathways of ALE holds considerable significance for promoting cross-sector integration, accelerating policy and technological innovation, and enabling the widespread adoption of intelligent solutions across agriculture-related industries. [Progress] This review draws upon an extensive body of literature and applies keyword clustering analysis to systematically explore the development of the agricultural ALE. Based on 13 570 peer-reviewed articles retrieved from the Web of Science database between 2000 and 2024, the study reveals a rapid growth trajectory—particularly since 2011—driven by technological breakthroughs in UAVs, sensors, and intelligent analytics. Five representative application domains were identified: smart farming, animal husbandry, forestry, fisheries, and rural governance. Through the integration of bibliometric tools and structured keyword combinations, the study captures both the evolution of research focus and the expansion of technical capabilities. The results demonstrate that ALE has progressed from early-stage feasibility validation toward large-scale, multi-functional applications. At the same time, it has catalyzed the development of an emerging industrial framework encompassing equipment manufacturing, aerial service provision, operational support systems, and talent development. These trends highlight the growing maturity and strategic relevance of ALE as a technological enabler for modern agriculture. In the context of smart farming, low-altitude technologies are extensively utilized for precision sowing, variable-rate fertilization, real-time crop health monitoring, and pest and disease detection. UAV-based remote sensing facilitates the creation of high-resolution field maps and spatially explicit data layers that support data-driven and site-specific decision-making in modern agricultural management. In smart livestock systems, drones are employed for livestock monitoring, early disease detection, and fence-line inspections, particularly in large, remote pasture areas with limited ground accessibility. Smart forestry applications include forest fire early warning, forest inventory updates, and dynamic monitoring of ecological changes, enabled by low-altitude hyperspectral, LiDAR, and thermal imaging technologies. For smart fisheries, UAVs and amphibious drones support water quality sensing, pond surveillance, and feeding behavior analysis, thereby enhancing aquaculture productivity, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. In the broader context of smart rural governance, ALE technologies assist with infrastructure inspections, land use monitoring, rural logistics coordination, and even public security surveillance, contributing to comprehensive, intelligent rural revitalization. Alongside scenario-based applications, this study also summarizes the current structure of the ALE industry chain, which is preliminarily composed of four key components: manufacturing, flight operations, supporting services, and integrated service platforms. In the manufacturing segment, the development and production of specialized agricultural UAVs, multi-rotor drones, and fixed-wing VTOL aircraft are advancing rapidly, enabling adaptation to various terrains and crop types. The flight operations segment is expanding with increasing market participation, offering aerial spraying, broadcasting, surveying, and inspection services with improved timeliness and precision. Supporting services include airspace coordination, meteorological forecasting, equipment maintenance, and safety supervision. Additionally, comprehensive service systems have emerged, integrating digital platform management, third-party evaluation, data analysis, and agricultural technical advisory services. Talent development and training form a crucial pillar of ALE's development. A growing number of vocational institutions and drone enterprises are providing structured training programs for agricultural drone pilots, technicians, and system operators. These programs aim to enhance operational capabilities, ensure safety compliance, and foster human capital that can support the sustainable growth of ALE applications across rural regions. [Conclusions and Prospects] ALE is transitioning from isolated, technology-specific applications to an integrated, platform-oriented ecosystem that blends equipment, data, services, and governance. To fully realize its potential, several strategic directions should be pursued. First, there is a pressing need to refine regulatory frameworks to accommodate the unique operational characteristics of rural low-altitude airspace, including dynamic zoning policies, UAV registration standards, and risk management protocols. Second, sustained investment in core technologies—such as autonomous flight control, multi-modal sensing, and AI-based analytics—is essential for overcoming current technical limitations and unlocking new capabilities. Third, ALE's infrastructure backbone must be reinforced through the deployment of distributed drone ports, mobile ground control stations, and secure data networks, particularly in underserved regions. Additionally, establishing a national-scale training and certification framework is critical for ensuring an adequate supply of skilled professionals, while innovative funding models such as public-private partnerships and scenario-based insurance can enhance accessibility and scalability. Pilot projects and demonstration zones should also be expanded to validate and refine ALE systems under diverse agroecological and socio-economic conditions. In summary, ALE offers strategic leverage for advancing China's goals in smart agriculture, green development, and rural revitalization. With cross-sector collaboration and proactive policy support, ALE can evolve into a resilient and inclusive ecosystem that fosters agricultural transformation, boosts productivity, and enhances environmental sustainability.

Key words: agricultural low-altitude economy, smart agriculture, unmanned aerial vehicles, application scenarios, industrial development