From Fields to Skies: The Growing Role of Drones in Indian Agriculture

The use of drone technology in Indian agriculture has seen a remarkable surge in recent years, revolutionizing traditional farming practices. From precision spraying of pesticides and fertilizers to real-time monitoring of crop health, drones are rapidly becoming an integral part of modern farming. These advancements are not only increasing efficiency and productivity but also addressing critical challenges such as labor shortages and environmental sustainability.

Initiatives by various stakeholders, including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), private companies, and government schemes, are driving the adoption of drone technology across India’s diverse agricultural landscape.

By using drones, farmers can reduce the time and labor required for spraying, ensure more uniform coverage, and minimize the exposure to chemicals, which is especially important for safety and environmental reasons.

Some of the recent drone-based agricultural projects in India

1. ICAR’s Precision Agriculture Drone Initiatives – ICAR is driving drone use in precision farming, focusing on tasks like pesticide spraying and crop health monitoring. The goal is to achieve more productivity and reduce manual labor across various states.
2. Garuda Aerospace Projects – Garuda Aerospace is developing cost-effective drone solutions for small farmers, aiming to improve efficiency in crop spraying and reduce input costs.
3. Government of India Drone Certification Scheme (January 2022) –The scheme certifies agricultural drones for non-chemical payloads, ensuring safety and promoting wider adoption in the agricultural sector.
4. Subsidy Scheme for Drones in Agriculture (January 2022) – The government offers up to ₹10 lakh in subsidies to agricultural institutions to promote drone usage, aiming to ease the labor burden on farmers and make the technology more accessible.
5. ICRISAT Drone Project (November 2020) – International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropic’s (ICRISAT) drone research, approved by the government, focuses on developing affordable drone technologies for widespread use across India’s diverse agricultural landscape.
6. Contingency Fund for Drone Hiring – A fund of ₹6,000 per hectare is set up to help small farmers hire drones from Custom Hiring Centres (CHC), enabling them to access precision agriculture without high costs.

The latest demonstration of agricultural spraying drone at TSP villages

Recently, a demonstration of advanced agricultural spraying drones was conducted in various TSP (Tribal Sub-Plan) villages. Drones are uncrewed aerial vehicles and are known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs). These drones are designed to enhance farming efficiency by offering precision spraying of pesticides, fertilizers, and other inputs. The event showcased the leverage drones offer to address challenges such as labor shortages and the need for timely application of agrochemicals in large and difficult-to-access fields.

Farmers in these villages were provided hands-on experience with the technology, highlighting its ease of use and potential to reduce input costs while improving crop yields. The drones, equipped with GPS and sensors, ensure even distribution and minimize wastage, making them a valuable tool for modern farming practices.

This initiative is part of broader efforts to introduce smart farming solutions to rural and tribal areas, thereby empowering farmers with cutting-edge technology that can significantly enhance agricultural productivity.

Agro-Drone Technology in India: The Twist and the Turns

India ranks 2^nd globally in terms of arable land, with nearly 50% of its land dedicated to agriculture, totalling around 160 million hectares. Approximately 90% of Indian farmers possess between 0.5 to 10 hectares of land. In agriculture, drones are mainly used for pesticide spraying, although soil analysis, precision farming, and crop monitoring are emerging applications in India.

Experts have praised this initiative, noting that drone technology can help address labor shortages, reduce input costs, and enhance crop productivity, particularly in remote and difficult-to-access areas. Additionally, the technology’s ability to precisely target specific areas within fields helps reduce waste and environmental impact, aligning with sustainable farming practices.

The use of drones in Indian agriculture is rapidly expanding, with current industry estimates indicating over 3,000 drones in operation, expected to exceed 7,000 by FY25. This growth is fueled by government policies promoting technology in farming, enhancing crop productivity through precise applications of water, soil nutrients, and crop protection.

The Government of India has allocated Rs 6,405.55 crore for agricultural mechanization from 2014-15 to December 2023, with Rs 141.41 crore dedicated to Kisan drone promotion, facilitating the purchase and demonstration of drones across large tracts of farmland.

In line with these efforts, the government introduced the ‘Drone Didi‘ scheme, allocating 15,000 drones to women self-help groups with substantial financial assistance. Additionally, initiatives like 2,500 drones procured by Indian Farm Forestry Development Cooperative (IFFCO) for spraying nano soil nutrients underscore the commitment to technological integration in agriculture.

To support these advancements, standard operating procedures for drone-based pesticide application were established, while various agricultural bodies receive full financial aid for drone acquisitions, ensuring widespread adoption and demonstration in farmers’ fields.

However, there are also challenges to be addressed, such as the cost of drones, the need for proper training for operators, and the establishment of clear regulations for drone usage in agriculture. Overall, ICAR’s efforts are seen as a forward-thinking approach that could significantly modernize Indian agriculture, making it more efficient and sustainable in the long term.

ICAR’s initiatives to demonstrate drone spraying techniques have reached several regions across India, with a focus on enhancing agricultural practices and increasing productivity. Some notable statistics and data points from these efforts include:

1. Wide Reach: ICAR has conducted drone demonstrations in multiple states, targeting key crops like cotton, rice, and pulses. These demonstrations have covered thousands of acres, showcasing the potential benefits of drone technology to large numbers of farmers.
2. Time Efficiency: Drones have been shown to cover up to 10 acres per hour, a significant improvement over traditional spraying methods, which can take much longer and require more manual labor.
3. Reduced Input Costs: Studies from these demonstrations suggest that farmers can reduce pesticide usage by 20-30% when using drones, due to the precision application capabilities, which also helps minimize environmental impact.
4. Increased Adoption: Following these demonstrations, there has been a noticeable increase in the interest and adoption of drone technology among farmers, with some states reporting up to a 25% increase in inquiries and adoption of drone-based services for their crops.

These efforts by ICAR are a part of a broader push towards modernizing Indian agriculture, promoting advanced technologies to improve productivity, sustainability, and farmer livelihoods.

The revolution in agricultural drones in India offers significant advantages but also comes with certain challenges. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons along with some relevant figures worth looking into:

Pros of Agricultural Drones in India:

Precision Agriculture:

• Enhanced Efficiency: Drones enable precise spraying of fertilizers, pesticides, and water, reducing wastage. According to a study, drone-based spraying reduces pesticide use by 30-50% and water consumption by up to 90% compared to traditional methods.
• Increased Crop Yields: Drones help monitor crop health, leading to timely interventions and potentially increasing crop yields by 10-15% in some cases.

Cost-Effective:

• Labor Savings: Drones cover large areas quickly, reducing the need for manual labor. For instance, a drone can spray pesticides over an acre of land in 15-20 minutes, compared to several hours manually.
• Lower Operational Costs: Over time, the operational costs of drones are lower than traditional methods, with estimates suggesting a 20-40% reduction in overall costs.

Data Collection & Analysis:

• Real-Time Monitoring: Drones equipped with sensors provide real-time data on crop conditions, soil health, and water levels, enabling farmers to make informed decisions.
• Improved Farm Management: The data collected can be used for better farm management practices, reducing risks and improving sustainability.

Sustainability:

• Reduced Environmental Impact: Precision agriculture through drones leads to lesser chemical use, reducing the environmental impact and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Cons of Agricultural Drones in India

High Initial Costs:

• Expensive Technology: The cost of purchasing and maintaining drones can be prohibitive for small farmers. A basic agricultural drone costs between INR 1.5 lakh to 5 lakh (approximately USD 2,000 to 6,700), which is a significant investment for many farmers.

Regulatory Challenges:

• Stringent Regulations: The use of drones is subject to strict regulations in India, including restrictions on flight zones, height, and distance, which can limit their use.
• Licensing Requirements: Farmers need to obtain proper licenses and training to operate drones, which can be a barrier for widespread adoption.

Technical Challenges:

• Skill Requirements: Operating drones requires technical knowledge and skills, which many farmers may lack. This necessitates additional training and education.
• Maintenance & Repairs: Drones require regular maintenance, and any technical failures can lead to high repair costs.

Limited Coverage:

• Battery Life: Most agricultural drones have limited battery life, typically around 20-30 minutes, which restricts the area they can cover in a single flight.
• Weather Dependence: Drones are highly dependent on weather conditions. High winds, rain, or extreme temperatures can hamper their performance, leading to inefficiencies.

Current Statistics:

• Adoption Rate: As of 2023, the adoption rate of agricultural drones in India is still in the nascent stage, with only about 1-2% of large-scale farmers using this technology, though it is expected to grow rapidly.
• Market Growth: The Indian agricultural drone market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 20-25% over the next five years, driven by increasing awareness and government initiatives promoting smart agriculture.

The Middle Way: Technology with Human Touch

While agricultural drones offer substantial benefits in terms of precision, efficiency, and sustainability, their widespread adoption in India faces challenges related to cost, regulation, and technical skills. Addressing these barriers through subsidies, training programs, and supportive policies will be crucial for realizing the full potential of drones in Indian agriculture. These demonstrations are part of broader efforts to introduce cutting-edge agricultural practices to rural and tribal areas, empowering farmers with tools that can modernize their farming methods.