Nashik (Maharashtra) based software company Passenger Drone Research Pvt. Ltd. (PDRL) has unveiled BhuMeet, a new marketplace designed to connect farmers with drone service providers. This platform aims to streamline access to essential drone services such as agricultural spraying and surveying, offering a new solution for the agricultural sector in India.
Enhancing Agricultural Efficiency
Agriculture plays a vital role in India’s economy, and BhuMeet provides user-friendly interface for farmers to find reliable drone services. The platform is set to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery by offering a user-friendly interface for farmers to locate and hire drone operators based on service history and proximity.
Importance of Drone Technology in Agriculture
India, with its vast agricultural land spanning over 1.78 million square kilometers and between 90 million to 150 million active farmers, stands as the world’s second-largest producer of food grains, fruits, and vegetables. The integration of drone technology in agriculture is becoming increasingly significant for crop monitoring, precision farming, and irrigation management.
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Alignment with Government Initiatives
The launch of BhuMeet aligns with discussions from the recent G20 Agriculture Deputies Meeting, highlighting the importance of digital and climate-smart agriculture.
“As India continues to embrace advanced technologies to revolutionize its agriculture sector, we at PDRL are proud to introduce BhuMeet, a platform that will fundamentally change how farmers access essential drone services. By bridging the gap between farmers and reliable service providers, BhuMeet not only enhances operational efficiency but also empowers the agricultural community to harness the full potential of drone technology. We believe this innovation will set new standards in the industry and play a vital role in modernizing agriculture across the nation.″
Key Features of BhuMeet
Features for Farmers:
BhuMeet simplifies the process for farmers to find and hire drone operators. The platform allows users to track real-time updates on service status and make payments directly from mobile devices.
Benefits for Drone Service Providers:
For drone service providers, BhuMeet offers expanded business opportunities and efficient service management. The platform enhances operational efficiency with real-time updates, drone fleet management, and analytical features for performance optimization. It also centralizes service opportunities, broadens the customer base, and simplifies invoicing and payment processes.
Value Addition for Drone Service Providers:
BhuMeet’s features include streamlined service request management and task assignment, which aid in efficient resource allocation and operational transparency. The platform supports effective fleet utilization, organized location management, and provides comprehensive service analytics and reports. Additionally, it facilitates mobile invoicing and payment, and maintains detailed service histories.
Drone Pilots:
For drone pilots, BhuMeet offers organized task assignments and enhanced communication, improving workflow and fostering better customer relationships.
By offering intuitive tools for managing requests and payments, BhuMeet aims addresses key challenges in the agricultural drone service industry, making it easier for farmers to access reliable services and for providers to operate efficiently. This new platform aims to drive significant advancements in India’s agricultural practices.
“BhuMeet addresses the critical gap between drone manufacturers and farmers. It’s a unique B2C platform that simplifies the connection, ensuring efficient, localized service delivery.”
Support for Government Schemes
The platform supports the government’s Kisan Drone Scheme, aiming to reduce labor and increase efficiency through drone technology. By providing a streamlined and transparent experience for both farmers and drone pilots, BhuMeet is set to drive significant advancements in India’s agricultural practices.
Vision for the Future
This initiative is part of PDRL’s broader vision to advance agricultural drone technology. The company’s previous launches include AeroMegh, a SaaS platform that transforms drone data into actionable insights, AeroGCS GREEN,a software for Indian drone manufacturers, now used, as per the company “by about 70% of type-certified agricultural drones in the country”, and AeroGCS Enterprise, a platform for managing large-scale drone operations.
Expansion Plans
PDRL founder and CTO Vishal Dharankar said the app is enabled in select regions of South India and Gujarat as a pilot project and will expand to pan India by the end of 2024.