KAU and NABARD establish a Memorandum of Understanding to use drones to advance agriculture

KAU and NABARD sign MoU to empower agriculture through drone technology

During the Sustainable Agriculture & Food Processing Growth Summit & Expo 2025, which took place at Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, and ended on Saturday, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between NABARD and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). The groundbreaking project “Empowering Agriculture Through Innovation: Establishing a Drone Pilot Training Hub at Kerala Agricultural University” has begun with this effort.

Through the use of drone technology, capacity-building initiatives, and drone pilot licensing, the project seeks to transform agricultural practices in the State. Biju S. Kurup, Chief General Manager, NABARD, and Dr. E G Ranjit Kumar, Registrar, Kerala Agricultural University, exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding in front of Dr. Jacob John, Director of Extension, Dr. K. P. Sudheer, the project’s principal investigator, as well as other notable dignitaries and participants.

According to the KAU sources, this partnership represents a significant step in incorporating innovation into agriculture and establishes a standard for long-term expansion and technological development in the industry. One of the first organizations in the state to offer courses and training on the use and upkeep of agridrones is KAU Agri Business Incubator.