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HomePosts Tagged "Drone Destination"
Agribusiness, Drones, India, Interaction

 AgroSpectrum interacted with Chirag Sharma, CEO, Drone Destination to shed more light on the future growth and challenges of agri-drone industry. Edited excerpts:

An urgent need to increase agricultural output and efficiency has sped up the expansion of the agricultural drone market in India. There are about 3,000 drones in operation right now, and by FY25, that number is projected to rise to over 7,000. Frost and Sullivan, an American business consulting firm, predicts that the agri-drone market will reach $121.43 million by 2030, quadruple by 2028, and increase at a CAGR of 38.5 per cent.

This growth would not have been possible without the efforts of the government. To encourage farmers to use drone technology, programmes are offering incentives and financial aid through schemes like the Agricultural Mechanisation Sub-Mission, as well as programmes that promote ‘Kisan Drones’ for crop management. ‘Drone Didi’ is a new programme that will promote sustainable farming practices by providing drone technology to women’s self-help organisations. Owing to all these developments, AgroSpectrum interacted with Chirag Sharma, CEO, Drone Destination to shed more light on the future growth and challenges of this industry. Edited excerpts:

In your opinion, what does the future hold for the agricultural drone market?

Indian agriculture makes a substantial contribution to the nation’s GDP, employment, and food security. Agriculture in India is one of the primary sources of income for many Indians. Almost 70 per cent of India’s people are employed in agriculture. India also has the maximum land dedicated to the production of crops such as wheat, rice, cotton and more.

Drones in agriculture provide increased efficiency by saving time (drones can spray one acre in 5-7 minutes) and increasing the area covered in a day (drones can cover 25 acres per day vs 2-3 acres using conventional labour. Drones also reduce dependency on labour and provide a safe working environment (labourers don’t have to inhale harmful chemicals using traditional spray means). Agri drones also assist in saving water as well as optimising the usage of fertilisers and pesticides by spraying evenly portions over fields using precise mission planning.

The government of India has introduced Kisan Drone initiatives to facilitate ‘Drone Shakti’ through varied applications and Kisan Drones promoted for crop assessment, digitisation of land records, spraying of insecticides, and nutrients for Drone-As-A-Service (DAAS). Under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM), financial assistance ranging from 40 per cent to 100 per cent is provided to farmers, agricultural graduates, Farmer Producer Organisation (FPOs), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs), State Agri Universities and more, for the purchase of Kisan Drones and their associated drone training.

The government has also recently approved the Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs 1261 crore. The scheme aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected Women SHGs for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purposes (application of fertilisers and pesticides).

More recently large fertiliser companies such as IFFCO, and Coromandel have started giving orders for drone spray services and over two crore acres of spray orders have already been distributed to the industry. The average price per acre for a drone varies from Rs 400 to 700 depending upon the region and crop.

For the coming year, the size of the agri drone ecosystem, consisting of drone sales, services and training, can be estimated to be between 3000 crore and 4000 crores. The future of the agri drone industry looks extremely promising because drones are becoming easily accessible while also widely applicable in the agricultural sector.

How has the use of drones impacted the face of India’s agricultural industry?

Over the past few years, Indian farming has seen some major changes because of the adoption of new technologies. One of the most exciting advancements is the drone. These flying machines have the potential to completely change how farming works across the country. Drones are not just making things easier for farmers but also helping them make more money and grow more crops.

They can do a lot of different jobs that used to be hard or take a lot of time. For example, drones can spray chemicals on crops, manage irrigation, check on crop health, find pests, and even make sure that all parts of the field get the right amount of fertiliser. 

Drones are a game-changer in Indian farming. Their advanced sensors and cameras equip most unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that allow farmers to observe and manage their crops with precision.

Drones are equipped with advanced sensors, and they can collect high-resolution data on crop health. The accuracy allows the farmers to change their practices. It also helps reduce resource waste and increase yields. They play an important role in monitoring the crop. It helps to capture multispectral and thermal images. This data helps farmers identify different types of crop diseases. It enables targeted interventions, reducing the need for extensive pesticide use.

Besides, drones create accurate and timely maps of farmlands. It aids in crop planning and management. The farmers can analyse maps and improve planting patterns. The drones provide farmers with real-time data. Accurate data enables farmers to make informed decisions. This information empowers farmers to respond quickly to changes in crop conditions and weather conditions as well.

The timely data collected from drones helps farmers. It improves their irrigation practices. While identifying certain areas with moisture deficiencies. The farmers can adjust their irrigation timings. It helps to conserve water and improves the overall efficiency of agricultural practices. Drones provide precision agriculture, which boosts productivity. through improving inputs like pesticides, fertiliser, and water. Farmers can lessen their influence on the environment while increasing harvests.

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

 AgroSpectrum interacted with Chirag Sharma, CEO, Drone

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, Drones, India

 Under this collaboration, Drone Destination will provide drone spraying facilities to interested farmers, ensuring that DeHaat’s innovative products reach the country’s hinterlands.

Drone Destination, India’s foremost Drone-as-a-Service provider and the largest DGCA-certified Drone Pilot Training company in India, and DeHaat, an India’s largest full-stack Business to Farmer (B2F) platform, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in bringing cutting-edge drone technology to India’s farmlands. This partnership aims to enhance agricultural efficiency by offering drone spraying services while promoting DeHaat’s wide range of agricultural inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, to farmers across rural India.

Under this collaboration, Drone Destination will provide drone spraying facilities to interested farmers, ensuring that DeHaat’s innovative products reach the country’s hinterlands. Additionally, DeHaat, through its vast network of 14,000+ DeHaat Centers spread across 11 states and catering to 2.7Mn+ farmers, will generate leads for drone services and offer agricultural services directly to end-users. This agreement will streamline access to modern agricultural solutions, driving productivity and sustainability for Indian farmers.

According to Chirag Sharma, CEO, Drone Destination, “We are excited to join hands with DeHaat in revolutionising India’s agricultural sector. Drone technology has immense potential to enhance farm productivity, and with DeHaat’s strong market presence, we can reach more farmers and deliver innovative solutions to help them thrive in today’s competitive environment.”

Commenting on the partnership, Amrendra Singh, Co-founder & Director, DeHaat, said, “DeHaat, with its ‘Farmer’s First’ vision has always stood for empowering the Indian farming ecosystem through strong technological interventions. Our collaboration with Drone Destination represents another significant step forward in that direction. By integrating drone technology with our comprehensive agricultural services, we aim to provide farmers with cutting-edge tools that can increase crop yield and ensure sustainable farming practices.”

Drone Destination will be registered as a service provider on DeHaat’s platform, allowing farmers to access drone services directly and effortlessly. DeHaat will also list its agricultural products and services on Drone Destination’s platform, ensuring seamless integration and accessibility for rural farmers. In addition, both companies will work together to aggregate orders for drone spray services, ensuring an efficient and streamlined process for farmers.

The collaboration is expected to drive significant advancements in rural farming communities by facilitating the adoption of advanced technologies, ultimately helping to enhance productivity and improve overall agricultural outcomes.

 Under this collaboration, Drone Destination will provide

Agribusiness, Company News, Drones, E-commerce, Start ups

The platform offers an extensive selection of products, including drones, drone parts, consumables, avionics, and BIS-approved drone batteries.

Drone Destination, India’s foremost Drone-as-a-Service provider and the largest DGCA-certified Drone Pilot Training company has launched ‘Drone Hub’, an innovative e-commerce platform dedicated to #EverythingDrones. This platform offers an extensive selection of products, including drones, drone parts, consumables, avionics, and BIS-approved drone batteries.

This new business vertical shall ensure timely supply-chain support to the Indian drone eco-system and offer customers with efficient after-sales service. It addresses the urgent need for reliable and locally available components as India’s drone industry experiences rapid growth.

Chirag Sharma, CEO of Drone Destination, highlighted the significance of this launch: “Drone Hub marks a pivotal milestone in our initiative of #EverythingDrones to support India’s drone sector. We recognise the sourcing challenges faced by drone operators, and our platform is designed to provide a seamless shopping experience. By offering timely after-sales support and a steady supply of essential components, we are committed to enhancing operational efficiency for our customers in this fast-evolving industry.”

Drone Hub not only meets the increasing demand for drone-related products but also solidifies Drone Destination’s dedication to advancing the drone ecosystem in India. By providing a dependable and comprehensive resource, the company positions itself as a crucial enabler in the sector, fostering innovation and growth.

The platform offers an extensive selection of

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, Collaborations, Company News, Drones, India

The centre will focus on skill development, employment generation, and empowering the drone ecosystem in India.

Drone Destination and the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a state-of-the-art drone training centre at NSIC, New Delhi. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive training on drone technology, repairs and maintenance, data processing and analysis, remote pilot training and new-age sport drone soccer. The centre will focus on skill development, employment generation, and empowering the drone ecosystem in India.

The collaboration between Drone Destination and NSIC is poised to bring significant advancements in the field of drone technology and AI, and develop a future-ready work force to cater to the growing and diversified demands of skilled manpower in the drone sector, especially in digital agriculture, survey & mapping, mining, asset inspection, surveillance & monitoring, disaster management and many more.  

Chirag Sharma, CEO, Drone Destination, said, “This partnership with NSIC marks a significant milestone in our mission to democratize drone technology in India. By providing specialized training and skill development programs, we aim to empower individuals and organizations with the knowledge and expertise needed to harness the full potential of drones. We are launching these technical skill enhancing courses in addition to the Pilot Training Certification course already offered by us in 12 locations across India.  This initiative will ensure availability of skilled and specialised workforce in the growing drone eco-system in India.”

Kartikeya Sinha Director, Planning & Marketing, NSIC added, “NSIC is committed to fostering skill development across various sectors, and this MoU with Drone Destination aligns perfectly with our objectives. The establishment of this drone training centre will be a game-changer, particularly for aspiring youth and women in technology. By equipping individuals with the necessary skills, we are paving the way for a more technologically advanced and self-reliant India.”

The training programs at the centre will be progressively introduced at all NSIC Technical Skill Centres, ensuring widespread access to cutting-edge drone technology education. This initiative is set to create numerous opportunities for skill development and employment, driving economic growth and innovation in the drone sector.

The centre will focus on skill development,

Agribusiness, Company News, Drones, India, Start ups

 Over the past year, company’s revenue has grown 2.7x to Rs 32.26 Crore and PAT has grown 2.76x to Rs 7.08 Crore.

Drone Destination India’s leading Drone-as-a-Service provider and the largest DGCA certified Drone Pilot Training company, today announced its financial results for FY 23-24. Company has posted revenue of Rs 3262.02 Lakhs in FY 23-24. Company’s EBIDTA stood at Rs 1386.39 Lakhs with margin of 41 per cent. Company reported Rs 948.12 Lakhs Profit Before Tax (PBT) with margin of 29 per cent. Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at Rs 708.21 Lakhs in FY23-24.

Chirag Sharma, CEO, Drone Destination said, “Over the past year, our revenue has grown 2.7x to Rs 32.26 Crore and our PAT has grown 2.76x to Rs 7.08 Crore. We have continued to maintain leadership position for Drone Training in India, and we are proud to be part of the Namo Drone Didi scheme, having trained the highest number of Drone Didis in the country. Drone Destination won and successfully executed its first independent drone survey project for Government of Andhra Pradesh Land Records Dept. We also forayed into Agri Drone Services in collaboration with IFFCO and executed over 28,000 Drone Demonstrations under the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. Drone Destination is on a high-growth trajectory and aims to scale its integrated Service & Training network pan-India.”

Alok Sharma, Chairman, Drone Destination said, “Our vision and business fundamentals aligned with core focus on Drone-based Services & Training has helped us achieve 43 per cent EBIDTA and 22 per cent PAT over the last year. Our on-ground execution capabilities have helped us develop credible associations, as we have recently collaborated with IFFCO for the largest Drone Spray project over 30 lakh acres across 12 states in India. Drone Destination also has a steady pipeline of upcoming projects and partnerships, including Urban Mapping, LIDAR surveys, as well as launch of Drone Soccer in India, an exciting new sport, blending education, technology and recreation.”

Key highlights:

  • Became the first Drone Company to list on NSE Emerge.
  • Trained over 2100 Pilots along with our partner IGRUA Actively participated in the “Namo Drone Didi” scheme and trained more than 600 Namo Drone Didis, nominated by our new client base including large fertilizer and agro-chemical companies such as IFFCO, KRIBHCO, Chambal Fertliser, IPL, Indorama etc.
  • Won and executed our first independent Drone Survey Project from Andhra Pradesh Land Records Department, mapping 1.4 Lakh hectares in the state
  • Forayed into Agri Spray services and deployed close to 200 Drones & Drone Pilots for IFFCO, and covered over 28,000 Gram Panchayats for Agri Spray demonstrations under Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra
  • Introduced new “Kickstarter” & “Training Partner” Program to expand training footprint across India

 Over the past year, company’s revenue has

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agrotech, Company News, Drones, India

As part of the MoA, Drone Destination will undertake drone spray in 12 states across the country.

Drone Destination India’s leading Drone-as-a-Service provider and the largest DGCA certified Drone Pilot Training company, today announced the signing of an MOA with IFFCO to collaborate for spraying of IFFCO Nano fertilisers, Sagarika and other IFFCO Agri-Products using drones for up to 30 lakh acres of farmland across 12 states in India.

As part of the MoA, Drone Destination will undertake drone spray in 12 states across the country. These states include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand. The drones will be spraying IFFCO Nano Urea, Nano DAP, Sagarika, IFFCO MC Agro-Chemicals and other IFFCO & IFFCO JV’s Agri-Products, with the aim of enhancing agricultural productivity and efficiency. Other benefits under the MOA include opportunities for sale of IFFCO agri-inputs/products for drone spray.

Commenting on the business win, Alok Sharma, Chairman, Drone Destination said, “We are elated to partner with the world’s top cooperative IFFCO for transforming Indian agriculture. Drones have a wide range of applications and their influence on agriculture, which is basic to human survival is revolutionary. Drones will bring efficiency, scalability, cost competitiveness, and speed to agricultural practices in India, enabling the sector to increase its contribution to GDP. As a leading player, spearheading the adoption of drones across multiple sectors, this is an important milestone for us in the journey towards drone adoption in the country.”

Chirag Sharma, MD & CEO Drone Destination added – “We thank IFFCO for choosing us and showing faith in our capabilities for implementing large-scale drone projects. This mandate will surely cement our position in the industry as the go-to company for executing large-scale drone projects in the country.”

As part of the MoA, Drone Destination