Demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used in Indian agriculture is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years, according to online agricultural news platform AgroPages on April 30.
The country’s government has consistently placed great emphasis on promoting drones for agricultural activities such as crop mapping, analysis and application of nutrients and pesticides. In April 2023, India’s Ministry of Agriculture issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for drone pesticide application on 10 crops, including rice, wheat, cotton and maize.
The industry estimates that there are up to 3,000 drones currently in use in the agricultural sector, and that number could more than double by 2025. “The number of drones could grow to between 10,000 and 15,000 in the coming years if they are rapidly adopted in the agricultural sector.”said Chirag Sharma, CEO of Drone Destination, a company that specializes in services and training for pilots who operate these devices.
Stating that the company has trained 5,000 drone pilots in operational aspects, Sharma said services related to drone operation and maintenance are expected to grow significantly. “The drone will gain more visibility with government support by the end of FY26 as it will help save 70% water and reduce fertilizer application by 20-30%.”said Ramanathan Narayanan, chief executive officer of Dhaksha Unmanned Systems Pvt Ltd., a drone manufacturer.
RG Agarwal, chairman of Dhanuka Group, a large crop protection company, said that “The number of certified drone pilots has increased from 346 in 2022 to more than 10,000 today, and this trend is expected to continue.”.
“The uses of drones go far beyond simply spraying fertilizers, and these unmanned aerial vehicles help manage crops by mapping the field, early detection of pests and diseases and even soil analysis, which leads to increased crop yields.”said Pradeep Palelli, CEO and co-founder of Thanos Technologies, a Hyderabad-based drone maker. The company produced 250 drones in the last financial year and increased its annual production capacity to 3,000 drones.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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