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HomePosts Tagged "agri-drone industry in India"
Agribusiness, Drones, India, Interaction

In an exclusive conversation with AgroSpectrum, Asitava Sen, CEO of CropLife India, elaborated on drone technology and its benefits for the agriculture business.

 In most of the remote villages, internet connectivity is major challenge. How can these machines overcome this hurdle?

The communication between drones is accomplished through the use of radio waves on particular radio frequencies. These frequencies are managed by telecom equipment that has been authorised by the Ministry of Telecommunication. When the drone is in visual line of sight, internet access is not required for it to accomplish its task; however, this is subject to product-specific requirements. Following the restoration of internet access, the drones will be able to communicate their data, which includes photographs and videos shot during flight, flight coordinates, and other information. 

It is estimated that 93 per cent of rural areas in India have access to 3G or 4G connectivity, and India is the second largest online market in the world. In light of these facts, it is only a matter of time before the digital divide will be bridged, which will allow for the smooth operation of all digital technologies, including drones. Additionally, it is important to remember that the demand will push the bounds of supply.

 What are the various challenges faced by the agro drone industry?

Research conducted in other Asian countries with smallholder farms has demonstrated that drone technology is a feasible option. For more than three decades, Japan has been making use of drone technology. In China alone, the number of agricultural drones is believed to have doubled between 2016 and 2017, reaching 13,000 aircrafts, and 30 million hectares of crop land was sprayed by drones in 2019. This information comes from research conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.

 The profitability of drones will be determined by a variety of business models that are employed to make it viable throughout the year. Drones are twenty times more efficient than traditional transportation. As has been observed in other nations, the reduction in cost per acre will occur as a result of the growing uptake and use of the technology. It has been demonstrated that the expenses of any new technology, such as mobile phones, decrease considerably with more usage over a period of time to a large degree. 

Because of the economies of scale in usage, the operating expenses of drones spraying per hectare in several Asian nations are currently similar to just Rs 100 to 150 for field crops (rice, wheat and maize), and Rs 250 to 400 for orchards. This is because of the fact that the usage of drones has become more widespread. Similar tendencies would be followed by India.

In the context of smallholder farmers, the “Drones as a Service” concept will give rise to the emergence of unique hiring models that involve many entities acting as service providers. Through the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, the government has already announced drone subsidy schemes that cover about forty percent to one hundred percent of the cost of drones. These schemes are intended for KVKs, FPOs, custom recruiting centres, rural entrepreneurs, start-ups, and individual farmers.

The most recent policies and liberal Production Linked Incentives (PLI) that have been announced by the government will also assist ‘Make in India’ drones, and the cost of drones will decrease over a period of time as a result of indigenisation.

Although it is still relatively new in India, the use of drones for spraying agrochemicals is getting closer. Farmers can afford it, it contributes to the production of higher goods, and it is a significant instrument for ensuring the nation’s food security. Through the use of “Kisan Drones,” the digitalisation of Indian agriculture and rural entrepreneurship would be brought about in the country.

Now that the policy framework has been established, it is the ideal moment to investigate the ways in which all of the stakeholders may collaborate to assist in the development of a conducive ecosystem for drone applications in agriculture, particularly agrochemical spraying.

Government of India has released Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for use of drones for the purpose of spraying pesticides on agriculture crops. Do you think this positive move encourages further growth of this sector?

There has been an exceptional process of policy development that is both collaborative and consultative, and it has been carried out at a rapid pace by the government with the participation of stakeholders. In its capacity as a prominent association of agrochemical businesses, CropLife was actively involved in the formulation of the standard operating procedure and guidelines for drone applications. As a member of the expert committee, CropLife coordinated the dissemination of best practices throughout Asian nations. Now that these principles have been established, they will be evaluated and used as a standard for ongoing activities in other Asian countries.

Within the past few months, the government has made it possible to obtain interim approval for the use of drones to apply crop protection formulations that have previously been approved. It has been decided that drones can be used to spray all permitted insecticides, fungicides, PGR, and bio-pesticide formulations for a period of two years, provided that specific parameters are met. Certainly, this is a wonderful breakthrough and a significant step forward in the process.

 There is a set of skills required to operate these drones. Do you feel that our farmers are equipped with such skills and if not, then what steps are needed to impart operational knowledge to them?

The National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM) has designed a ten-day integrated training cum licensing module for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) pilots and operators in order to give them the requisite abilities. This training is not only required but also necessary in order to guarantee the most effective and appropriate operation of drones.

                                                                                                                                      By Nitin Konde

In an exclusive conversation with AgroSpectrum, Asitava

Agrotech, Drones, India, Industry Reports / Analysis

Drones are becoming an essential part of the Indian agriculture sector, with over 220 drone startups as of February 2022. The adoption of drone technology faces challenges like high costs, regulatory hurdles, and a lack of technical expertise among farmers. Despite these challenges, with supportive government policies and ongoing technological advancements, the future of the agri drone business is bright.

A large portion of India’s gross domestic product (GDP), workforce, and food security are supported by the agricultural sector. Many Indians rely on agriculture as a main source of income.  The use of drones in agriculture has the potential to greatly improve productivity. Not only can drones spray an acre in just 5 to 7 minutes, but they can also cover an area of about 25 acres every day, compared to just 2 to 3 acres when employing conventional labour. In addition to reducing reliance on labour, drones offer a safer working environment by eliminating the need for traditional spray methods, which expose labourers to dangerous chemicals.

Agri drones help conserve water and maximise the use of pesticides and fertilisers by distributing the spray uniformly across fields through meticulous mission planning. The Indian government has launched a number of kisan drone initiatives to promote “Drone Shakti” through a variety of uses, including crop assessment, digitisation of land records, insecticide spraying, and nutrient delivery for Drone-As-A-Service (DAAS). Financial support ranging from 40 to 100 per cent is provided to various entities, including farmers, agricultural graduates, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Agricultural Universities, and more, under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM), so that they can purchase kisan drones and receive drone training.

Even though India is the world’s leading agricultural producer, few would have predicted a few years ago that tech companies would create tools that could revolutionise precision farming. With the goal of making India a world leader in agritech, more than 2,800 entrepreneurs are currently working hard to realise this ambition.

As far as agri-drones in India are concerned, the next year is looking bright. Some market research estimates put the growth rate at more than 30 per cent, with a range of 31.5 to 38.5 per cent. Within the next several years, agri-drones will be widely used by farmers across the nation. The increasing demand for precision farming, along with developments in drone technology and government backing, are driving this trend.

Sharing his views on this growth, Chirag Sharma, CEO, Drone Destination said, “The government has also recently authorised the Central Sector Scheme, which would allocate Rs 1261 crore to purchase drones for use by women’s self-help groups (SHGs). The plan is to supply 15,000 chosen women SHGs with drones so they may rent them out to farmers for agricultural purposes (fertiliser and pesticide application). Drone spraying services have recently seen an influx of orders from major fertiliser firms like IFFCO and Coromandel, with over two crore acres of spraying already supplied to the industry. Drones can cost anything from Rs 400- 700 per acre, with the exact figure depending on the area and crop.”

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumasia.com/e-magazine

Drones are becoming an essential part of

Agrotech, India, Interaction

In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Prem Kumar Vislawath, Founder, Marut Drones takes us through the scope and scale of agri drone innovation and adoption in Indian agriculture. Edited excerpts:

Marut Drones has been awarded the Type Certification approvals from the Director General of Civil Aviation for the multi-utility agricultural drone in the small category (less than 25kg) called the AG-365S. This drone has undergone thorough testing and has been developed with a strong build. Only drones that have been issued a UIN number are permitted to operate within Indian airspace, as stated in the UAS Rules-2021. Certification from the DGCA is granted following an exhaustive testing procedure of unmanned aerial vehicles carried out in a number of testing labs that have been granted NABL accreditation. This certification is based on quality checks. This requires the UAV to undergo a battery of material, environmental, and operational testing to ensure that its activities are safe, secure, and reliable.

The accreditation makes it possible for the Hyderabad-based company to introduce its agricultural drone technology to users, which has the potential to completely transform agriculture in India. In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Prem Kumar Vislawath, Founder, Marut Drones takes us through the scope and scale of agri drone innovation and adoption in Indian agriculture. Edited excerpts:

Recently, your AG-365S kisan drone Multi-utility Agriculture small Category Drone has received the prestigious DGCA approved type certificate. How can development enhance your project reach?

The DGCA-approved AG-365S Kisan Drone by Marut Drones offers an impressive array of features that make it a game-changer in Indian agriculture:

a. Swappable Payloads for Multi-Utility: One of its standout features is swappable payloads, making it a multi-utility tool for farmers. This flexibility allows farmers to adapt the drone for various tasks, from pesticide spraying, granule spreading to crop monitoring, significantly increasing its value and versatility.

b. High Endurance: The AG-365S boasts high endurance, enabling it to fly 22min on a single full charge. This high flight time Minimises the need for frequent recharging or battery swaps, optimising operational efficiency.

c.  Obstacle Avoidance & Terrain Management Sensors: Equipped with advanced obstacle avoidance and terrain management sensors, the drone can navigate through complex agricultural landscapes with precision and safety. It can avoid obstacles such as trees or buildings, ensuring smooth and accident-free operations.

d. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Crops: Marut Drones provides customised Standard Operating Procedures for 7+ crops, and SOPs for 35+ crops are under development in collaboration with renowned institues and partners such as PJTSAU, ICRISAT, NIPHM.

Incorporating these features, the AG-365S Drone redefines precision agriculture in India, offering farmers a reliable, efficient, and adaptable solution to meet their diverse agricultural needs.

What are the major challenges faced by drone manufacturers especially in agriculture sector?

Non-compliance with aviation regulations and airspace restrictions can lead to legal and operational issues. Delays or disruptions in the supply chain can impact the availability of critical components for drone operations.

While some state governments in India have initiated subsidy programs to promote the adoption of agricultural drones, there is often a lack of uniformity and consistency in these schemes. Manufacturers must navigate a complex landscape of varying subsidy policies, eligibility criteria, and application processes, making it challenging to plan and market their products effectively.

The effective use of drones for pesticide spraying depends on the availability of ULV formulations that are suitable for drone-based application. Manufacturers need to collaborate with chemical companies and regulatory bodies to develop and approve drone-compatible ULV formulations. This requires extensive research and development efforts and navigating regulatory hurdles.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Prem