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Agbiologicals, Agrotech, Drones, India, Industry Reports / Analysis, Sustainability

The shift towards sustainable farming is increasingly visible across the country with the adoption of modern technologies. The transition to sustainable farming is being facilitated with tools like remote sensors, crop nutrient management, farm management software, drones, predictive data analytics, bioengineering, and more. Technologies including agri-drones, blockchain technology, agri-biologicals, farm robotics, AI and IoT in farm management, and precision farming, are contributing to the growth of sustainable farming in India.

The global sustainable agriculture market is on a trajectory to reach over $31.35 billion by 2031, exhibiting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.17 per cent from 2023 to 2031. India has a major role in this transformative journey, where sustainable farming is emerging not just as a necessity but as an economically viable, socially supportive, and ecologically sound approach to crop cultivation. This transformation has been enabled over the past year by a synergy between government support, the complementary development of cutting-edge technologies by industry and a proactive push from the corporate sector.

To explore the milestones in the growth of the sustainable agriculture market in India, the theme of the AgroSpectrum cover story is ‘Sustainable Agriculture,’ which is consistent with the outline set by 14th Agrovision i.e. “Sustainable Farming through Skilling and Technology”. In our special Dec ’23 issue, AgroSpectrum delves deep into the realm of growing sustainable farming technologies through a series of analytical and informative articles on advancements in sustainable agriculture.

On November 6, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) in collaboration with Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Wadhwani AI) launched Krishi 24/7, the first-ever AI-powered solution for automated agricultural news monitoring and analysis, with support from Google.org. Krishi 24/7 will aid DA&FW to identify relevant news, generate timely alerts, and take prompt action to protect farmers’ interests and promote sustainable agricultural growth through improved decision-making.

The introduction of Krishi 24/7 addresses the need for an efficient mechanism to identify and manage agricultural news articles of interest to aid timely decision-making. The tool scans news articles in multiple languages and translates them into English. It extracts essential information from news articles, such as headline, crop name, event type, date, location, severity, summary, and source link, ensuring that the ministry receives timely updates on relevant events published on the web.

Wadhwani AI noted that it wants to build AI solutions for existing challenges where news monitoring and validation have been manual and time-consuming. A similar event tracking and analysis solution for disease outbreaks has been successfully deployed by the institute with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). By collaborating with the DA&FW and other central government bodies, it is dedicated to equipping the farmers with effective tools that improve the information flow through enhanced data-driven decisions.

The government of India in the last couple of years has taken various measures to provide access to technology and information across the country, through various Digital Initiatives as information technologies are finding increasing use in the agricultural value system, and farmers are increasingly becoming more informed. The aim of these measures is to achieve a doubling of farmers’ income in real terms. Keeping this in mind, the government has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee in 2019, which, inter-alia, appreciated the role of Digital Technology, in modernising and organising how rural India performs its agricultural activities in a sustainable way. The technologies include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics, Blockchain Technology, Internet of Things (IoT) etc. Using modern/advanced technologies and AI and giving accurate and timely information regarding crops, weather and insects etc. to the farmers may improve the crop productivity, reduce the risk and improve the income of farmers.

The shift towards sustainable farming is increasingly visible across the country with the adoption of modern technologies. The transition to sustainable farming is being facilitated with tools like remote sensors, crop nutrient management, farm management software, drones, predictive data analytics, bioengineering, and more. Technologies including agri-drones, blockchain technology, agri-biologicals, farm robotics, AI and IoT in farm management, and precision farming, are contributing to the growth of sustainable farming in India. Notable examples include Sikkim, achieving 100 per cent organic farming, and Andhra Pradesh’s ambitious goal to move to 100 per cent zero-budget natural farming by 2027.

The Indian corporate sector too has shown a growing commitment to building a future of sustainable agriculture. They have begun to focus on driving innovations in crop protection, post-harvest solutions, soil health improvement and planning simulations to identify and address farmers’ critical challenges. These corporate endeavours aim to provide a comprehensive solution platform to farmers, enhancing their resilience against climate risks and ensuring maximum farm yields at affordable costs. The industry’s partnership with farmers has helped them increase their yields and annual incomes.

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

The shift towards sustainable farming is increasingly

Agrotech, Drones, Opinions

By Rishabh Choudhary, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, BharatRohan Airborne Innovations 

To sustainably boost the country’s economic prowess, agriculture in India is undergoing a profound transformation, and at the heart of this revolution is hyperspectral technology. Hyperspectral imaging has rapidly become an indispensable tool for modern farming, offering a powerful and precise means to harness data beyond the visible spectrum. This extraordinary capability allows farmers to make data-driven decisions, contributing to sustainable and effective agricultural practices. In this article, we explore the various ways in which hyperspectral technology is reshaping agriculture and promoting sustainability.

Traditional farming methods often rely on the human eye to evaluate crop health, quality, and environmental conditions. However, hyperspectral imaging extends our perception by capturing data across hundreds of narrow, contiguous spectral bands that go beyond the limits of human vision. Here we explore the implications of this technology in agriculture:

Visible Data Range (400 to 700 nanometers): While hyperspectral sensors encompass wavelengths beyond human vision, they also excel in capturing data within the visible spectrum with unparalleled precision. This data range is invaluable for assessing crop health, quality, and more. It detects subtle variations in colour and pigmentation, serving as an indicator of crop stress, disease, or nutrient deficiencies.

Data Analytics: Hyperspectral data is processed using advanced analytics and machine learning, generating actionable insights that guide data-driven decisions in crop management. These insights include the ability to pinpoint specific irregularities in crop health, detect patterns related to nutrient deficiencies, and track the progression of diseases in plants.

Enhancing Crop Quality: With hyperspectral imagery-based decision support system, farmers can assess the quality of their crops more accurately. This is particularly significant for high-value crops like fruits and vegetables, where appearance and quality are crucial for market success. Hyperspectral imaging can analyse the spectral signature of produce, helping farmers evaluate factors such as sugar content, ripeness, and the presence of blemishes or diseases.

Optimising Resource Use: By monitoring fields throughout the crop cycle, hyperspectral imaging contributes to the efficient use of resources, such as water and irrigation. Farmers can make data-driven decisions about when and how much to irrigate, thereby promoting water conservation. Hyperspectral data enables precise assessments of soil moisture levels and plant stress, allowing for irrigation schedules responsive to crop needs.

Nutrient Management: By analysing the spectral signatures of crops, hyperspectral technology evaluates plant nutrient levels. This data empowers farmers to precisely apply fertilisers and soil supplements where necessary, minimising excess use and its environmental impact. Additionally, hyperspectral imaging can identify nutrient deficiencies by scrutinising the plant’s spectral reflectance.

Supporting Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Hyperspectral technology supports IPM practices by offering insights into the presence of pests and their impact on crops. This information allows farmers to implement targeted pest control strategies, reducing the reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides and minimising ecological harm. Hyperspectral imaging can even detect early signs of pest infestations through alterations in the spectral signature of crops.

Precision Agriculture: Hyperspectral imaging provides precise information about crop health and nutrient levels. With this data, farmers can apply fertilisers and other inputs only where and when needed, minimising wastage and environmental impact while maximising crop yields. It supports variable rate application, enabling farmers to adjust the application of fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides based on the specific conditions in different field areas.

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

By Rishabh Choudhary, Co-Founder & Chief

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech, Company News, Europe

Koppert’s drone distribution device won the EIMA fair innovation prize in 2022.

Italy produces more tomatoes than any other European country, so it should come as no surprise that Koppert plays an increasing role in the biological control of harmful spider mites in this important crop. Following the successful application of Spidex in greenhouse tomatoes, drones are now being used to effectively distribute this natural enemy of spider mites – the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis – over large outdoor acreages with good results.

‘Koppert’s biological solution, Spidex, was originally introduced to Italian greenhouse tomato growers in the ‘90s, so it was a small step to convince them to apply the same solution to larger outdoor crops,’ says Koppert Italy’s Market and Product Development expert, Francesco Bourlot. ‘Due to the increasing pressure of spider mite in tomatoes since then, and the ban on many chemical pesticides, we started to release this natural solution via drones in the field in 2019. By the end of last year, we were applying Spidex to some 500 hectares of outdoor tomatoes with good results.’

In Italy, there are about 7000 ha of greenhouse tomatoes and 70,000 ha of tomatoes grown in open fields for processing purposes. ‘Spider mite is the main problem in many areas with the highest concentration in the processing tomato production,’ Francesco Bourlot points out.

Successful aerial and tractor application of Spidex

A key element in open field application of Spidex has been the development of aerial distribution using drones. Koppert’s drone distribution device won the EIMA fair innovation prize in 2022, and Koppert will be testing its terrestrial tractor distribution device during this year’s growing season.

‘These two outdoor application devices have opened up a huge potential for the distribution of our natural Spidex solution for outdoor tomato growers in Italy and elsewhere. Our bigger volume packaging for the agricultural market that comes out later this year, means we will be able to promote this product even better,’ Francesco Bourlot explains. ‘The new packaging will allow for even faster handling and lower prices per hectare. We are expecting an annual sales growth in biological solutions of 20 to 30% over the coming years.’

The expected growth in sales of biological products is essentially the result of increasing retail pressure for residue-free products and consumer demand for healthy food. ‘More than 90 per cent of the growers we work for are satisfied with the efficacy of Spidex and wish to continue using our natural solution for spider mites,’ Francesco Bourlot concludes. At Koppert, our partnership with nature means our biological solutions are continually in development to bring growers even better answers to agricultural challenges.

Koppert's drone distribution device won the EIMA

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Pesticides, AgroPolicy, Company News, India, Sustainability

Crop-specific SOPs issue for use of pesticides with farming drones

The book titled ‘Machinery for Millets Production, Processing & Value Addition’ released

Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare released Crop Specific ‘Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Application of Pesticides with Drones’ in the public domain for the guidance of farmers and other stakeholders. Tomar also released a booklet titled ‘Machinery for Millets Production, Processing and Value Addition’. On this occasion, Tomar said that agriculture is our priority, so whether it is research or initiating schemes, the first priority of the government is to promote agriculture and improve the financial condition of the farmers. There are many challenges in the Agriculture sector. To retain the farmers, attract the new generation and increase the remuneration of the farmers by reducing the cost of production. For this, technical support in the agriculture sector is very important, the government is making continuous efforts in this direction.

Under the Agricultural Mechanization Sub-Mission, ICAR institutes, KVKs, SAUs, other State/Central Government Agricultural Institutes and Government of India PSUs engaged in agricultural activities are provided financial assistance at the rate of 100 per cent of the drone cost (up to Rs. 10 lacks per drone) besides Contingent Expenses for the purpose of demonstration of drones in the farmers’ fields. FPOs are given grant-in-aid at the rate of 75 per cent for the purchase of drones for a demonstration on farmers’ fields. For the purpose of providing agricultural services through the use of drones, financial assistance is given at the rate of 40 per cent of the original cost of the drone by CHCs to Farmers Cooperative Society, FPOs and Rural Entrepreneurs for the purchase of drones, subject to a maximum of Rs.4 lakh. Agricultural Graduates setting up CHCs are provided financial assistance up to Rs. 5 lacks at the rate of 50 per cent of the cost of drones. Individual small and marginal farmers, SC-ST farmers, women farmers and farmers of North-Eastern states will also get 50 per cent of the cost of the drone subject to a maximum of Rs 5 lakh while other farmers are eligible for assistance at 40 per cent of the cost of the drone, subject to a maximum of Rs. 4 lakhs.

Crop-specific SOPs issue for use of pesticides

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Finance, India, Schemes - Govt, Start ups, Sustainability

This scheme has multiple features to help the industry

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has disbursed an amount of Rs 30 crores to the beneficiaries during the year 2022-23 under the PLI Scheme for Drones and Drone Components.

To promote the indigenous drone industry, the government notified the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and drone components in 2021. The step was widely welcomed by academia and industry experts. This scheme has multiple features to help the industry.

The total incentive is Rs. 120 crores spread over three financial years.  It is nearly double the combined turnover of all domestic drone manufacturers in the fiscal year 2020-21.

For this scheme, the PLI rate is 20 per cent of the value addition which is one of the highest among PLI schemes.

Under this scheme, the value addition is calculated as the annual sales revenue from drones and drone components (net of GST) minus the purchase cost (net of GST) of drone and drone components. 

The PLI rate is kept constant at 20 per cent for all three years, which is an exceptional treatment for the drone industry in the country.

The Minimum value addition norm has been at 40 per cent of net sales for drones and drone components instead of 50 per cent which is another exceptional treatment for the industry. 

The eligibility norm for MSMEs and startups is at nominal levels.

The coverage of the scheme includes developers of drone-related software also.

PLI for a manufacturer is capped at 25 per cent of the total annual outlay. This allows for the widening of the number of beneficiaries.

In case a manufacturer fails to meet the threshold for the eligible value addition for a particular financial year, she will be allowed to claim the lost incentive in the subsequent year if she makes up the shortfall in the subsequent year.

This scheme has multiple features to help

Agrotech, India

Use of drones is a key component of the Centre’s mission of promoting digital agriculture to strengthen farming sector

Drones are becoming famous in every aspect of life—from social media reels to shipment delivery to traffic monitoring. So how can agriculture stay away? Drones have become a crucial agent for the rapid transformation of the agriculture sector worldwide. And India is no exception to it. The use of drones is a key component of the central government’s mission of promoting digital agriculture to strengthen the farming sector. State governments too are adopting it with vigour as they are experimenting with drones in farming and promoting their use.

Artificial Intelligence enabled drones are used for precision farming that increases productivity and thus farm income. Drones have multi-faceted uses. They make farm operations faster and more efficient. They also help farmers to save significant money by making optimum use of fertilisers and pesticides and by ensuring uniform sowing of seeds. Spraying chemicals is a time-consuming process and it poses a health hazard. Drones can fly at low height (1-3 metre) over the crops, which make the spraying of nutrients and pesticides effective and efficient, as well as allow farmers to assess standing crops through cameras. All this not just facilitates higher productivity but also brings down the expenses on crop inputs.

Farmers in the US, who grew corn, soybean and wheat could save around $1.3 billion every year by incorporating drones in their farm operations. There are reports that drone-led precision farming can reduce input cost by 18-20 per cent while enhancing yield by 30-100 per cent in India. Drones have shown they can be beneficial in planting seeds in the Indo-Gangetic plains, where the rice-wheat cropping system is prevalent.

Farmers can make crop surveillance of the field using infrared cameras and get real-time information about crop growth, infestation, and requirement of inputs. This helps farmers in responding to any problem sooner and take active measures to nip it in the bud. Applications of drones can also be used for mapping water spread areas, pest infestation, and livestock farming besides assisting farmers in adopting good agricultural practices (GAP). Crops can be contamination-free, making them get good export prices.

Government support and encouragement for drones was evident when the Prime Minister of India inaugurated India’s biggest Drone Festival – Bharat Drone Mahotsav in May 2022.

Prime Minister called the use of drones a “milestone” for Indian agriculture and expressed confidence it would create more opportunities. The government of India has extended huge subsidies to different agriculture-related instructors, farmers producers organisations (FPO) and custom hiring centres (CHC) for purchasing and promoting drones under a new scheme of Kisan Drone. These drones are helpful for government agencies also as they can be used for crop assessment of production estimates or to process farm insurance, digitisation of land records, and can expedite claim processing and bring transparency.

Many state governments have shown interest such as the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to procure 200 Kisan Drones, which would solve the problem of labour shortage and health hazards. As excessive rains flooded farms, Karnataka has decided to use drones for crop assessment to bring transparency. Tamil Nadu too has roped in drones as a part of the digital intervention to make agriculture and farming profitable and sustainable.Gujarat, Rajasthan too, have joined the journey of digital revolution.

Drones were used in 2020 to ward off locus attacks, saving millions of hectares of farmland. Farmers are getting first-hand experience in operating drones and their usefulness such as testing the moisture of soil, which is not possible through traditional ways. State governments are confident that drones will be game-changer not only for farmers but for the entire agri economy.

Despite knowing the importance of technology, our agriculture did not adopt it for years. However, we can see a gain in momentum now. Both central and state governments are keen on embracing it. The involvement of agri start-ups, FPOs and CHCs in drone technology will allow farmers especially those financially poor to try new technological solutions. As drones become affordable and easily accessible, more and more farmers will start using them. Moreover, drones can create employment opportunities in rural parts, especially for the tech-savvy youth and bring them back to farms. As they say, artificial intelligence is set to transform the world, drones are going to change the face of farming in the 21st century.

Use of drones is a key component

Agrotech, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, R&D, World

Agricultural drones are helping farmers to address labour shortage and reduce costs

Across Vietnam’s Mekong River delta, drones flying above the field to perform farm works have been gradually adopted in the rice paddies. Vietnam becomes one of the fast-growing markets for XAG Agricultural Drone, helping farmers address labour shortage and reduce costs. In the meantime, drone pilot is seen as the new favoured career for rural youth, who can harness technology to make a good fortune in the agriculture sector.

“With two XAG P100 agricultural drones, two small teams consisting of only 4 to 6 people can finish the fieldwork much faster and easier. While the drone sprays evenly and penetrate the rice crops more quickly, it can also spread seeds and fertilizers. Our service has helped him reduce labour cost and improve the yields.”said by 30-year-old Khuong, KPT’s co-founder.

The introduction of agricultural drone has changed the tune of young generation on rural development, it provides a decent work opportunity for rural youth who can build a new type of business like the KPT Fly Team or join as a drone pilot. They have become the new rising force to strengthen Vietnam’s role as ‘rice bowl’ of the world. The KPT Fly Team was established in 2021 by a group of young engineers with experience in rice cultivation. They provide services to farmers in the Mekong River delta, using XAG’s drones to handle pests, sow seeds, and spread fertilizers.

XAG’s agricultural drone is well credited for the level of its automation and precision, but what impresses KPT the most is the company’s agricultural ecosystem. From remote sensing drone to unmanned ground vehicle, XAG has also developed multiple types of products to focus on farmer’s various needs. More technologies will be applied on farm to yield a bright future.

Agricultural drones are helping farmers to address

Agrotech, India

 

By

Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director, Insecticides (India) Limited

Following the liberalisation of drone restrictions in 2021, the industry received a huge boost with the announcement in this year’s Union Budget of Drone Shakti, a new integrated office in the Ministry of Civil Aviation to allow speedier growth, coordination, and approvals for drones. The government is currently supporting a number of drone entrepreneurs in order to increase their use across industries. Kisan Drones are already being utilised for crop assessments, land records, and insecticide spraying, and are projected to usher in a new era of technology in agriculture and farming. Drones with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and remote sensing capabilities are becoming increasingly popular due to their numerous benefits.  

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Drones in agriculture

Drone technology has received the greatest attention due to its versatility and is seen as the agrarian sector’s future. Drones not only improve overall performance, but they also help farmers to overcome a variety of other obstacles and get several benefits from precision agriculture. They fill the void left by human mistake and inefficiency in traditional farming practices, with the market for agricultural drones expected to reach $5.7 billion by 2025, growing at a 35.9 percent CAGR.  The goal of implementing drone technology is to eliminate any uncertainty or guesswork and instead focus on accurate and dependable data.

 Farming is influenced by external elements such as weather, soil conditions, and temperature. A farmer can use an agriculture drone to adapt to different settings and make informed decisions. Crop health, crop treatment, crop scouting, irrigation, field soil analysis, and crop damage assessments are all aided by the information obtained. Drone surveys help farmers increase agricultural yields while reducing time and costs.

Role of drones in crop protection and productivity enhancement

 Spraying of agrochemicals

Drones are already being tested for use in the cotton-growing region of the country for spraying pesticides to reduce pests that would otherwise be handled by agricultural labourers, which is very time consuming and is also not uniform. Drones not only lessen the risk of unintended fume inhalation, but also expedite pest management by covering more areas in less time. The primary advantage of using a drone is that it will consume less insecticide and provide greater precision throughout the application process.

 Controlling the Locust Swarm

The majority of countries fighting locust swarms rely heavily on organophosphate insecticides. In India, drones have been stationed in Rajasthan to ensure that the spraying is done efficiently. Drones can spray insecticides across a 2.5-acre area in under 15 minutes. The use of drones to battle locust swarms is a quick, safe, and practical solution.

 Crop Health Surveillance and Monitoring

Tracking the health of the vegetation and spotting bacterial/fungal diseases early on is critical. Plants that reflect various quantities of green light and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) light can be identified by agriculture drones. This information is used to create multispectral images that can be used to track crop health. Crops can be saved if they are monitored closely and any faults are discovered quickly. In the event of crop failure, the farmer can document the losses in order to file proper insurance claims.

 Agricultural drones equipped with multispectral and RGB sensors can also identify weeds, diseases, and pests in farm regions. The exact amounts of chemicals required to combat these infestations are known as a result of this research, which reduces the farmer’s costs.

 Monitoring of Irrigation

Drones with hyperspectral, thermal, or multispectral sensors detect areas that are too dry or require the farmer’s attention. Irrigation monitoring yields calculations of the vegetation index to help realize the health of crops and emitted heat/energy. Drone surveys aid in bettering water usage and uncovering irrigation problems.

Soil Analysis in the Field

Farmers can use the drone survey to learn more about the soil conditions on their land. Multispectral sensors capture data that can be used for seed planting patterns, field soil analysis, irrigation, and nitrogen management. Farmers can thoroughly examine their soil conditions using precise photogrammetry/ 3D mapping.

 Drone-planting systems have already been developed that allow drones to shoot pods, seeds, and essential nutrients into the soil. Not only does this technique cut expenses by over 85 per cent, but it also improves consistency and efficiency. 

Tracking livestock

Farmers can use the drone survey to keep track of not only their crops but also their cattle’s movements. Thermal sensor technology aids in the recovery of missing animals and the detection of injury or illness. Drones are capable of performing this duty well, and this contributes significantly to the development of vegetation.

 ByRajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director, Insecticides (India) LimitedFollowing

Uncategorized

India Agriculture Drones market is forecast to witness a four-fold increase by 2028, with a projected CAGR of more than 25 per cent during 2022 – 2028

A recent study conducted by the strategic consulting and market research firm, BlueWeave Consulting, India Agriculture Drones market is forecast to witness a four-fold increase by 2028, with a projected CAGR of more than 25 per cent during 2022 – 2028. Agriculture drones are spray drone-enhanced unmanned aerial vehicles that are used to improve agricultural operations efficiency, crop yield, and crop growth monitoring. Drone sensors and digital photography capabilities are also designed to provide farmers with a more detailed view of their land.

Furthermore, abrupt climate change is adding new layers of complexity to the agriculture industry, increasing the demand for technological solutions like agriculture drones to raise crop output and company efficiency. Furthermore, the aerial view by drone farming can disclose a variety of concerns, including soil variance, irrigation issues, and fungal infestations, and can be utilised as a set of instructions in agriculture to survey crops and quickly identify problems. All of these factors are expected to boost demand for agriculture drones in India in the coming years.

The market for agricultural drones is highly fragmented, with many domestic and regional competitors as well as worldwide firms operating in the market. New entrants may be hampered by relatively high capital requirements and the necessity for ongoing R&D spending.

India Agriculture Drones market is forecast to witness

Agrotech

The global agricultural drones’ market is expected to grow from $1.5 billion in 2019 to $10.5 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 31.4 per cent during the forecast period 2020-2027

As per the report published by Fior Markets, the global agricultural drones’ market is expected to grow from $1.5 billion in 2019 to $10.5 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 31.4 per cent during the forecast period 2020-2027. The North America region stands as a promising market for agricultural drones and is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of during the forecast period. It is also the largest market for agricultural drones. This is due to the high purchasing power and readiness in technological adoption of consumers in that region. North America is the fastest-growing, but South America has the highest potential for growth. 

Key players in the global agriculture drones’ market are Israel Aerospace Industries, Yamaha Motor, Delair, AeroVironment, PrecisionHawk, Trimble Navigation, AgEagle Aerial Systems, Microdrones GmbH, Agribotix LLC American Robotics, AgEagle Aerial Systems, URSULA Agriculture, Sentera, Parrot SA, SZ DJI Technology, and AutoCopter Corp among others. Key companies are mainly focusing on developing new products, forming partnerships, and joint ventures to gain significant market share in the global agriculture drone’s market.

The key driver of the global agricultural drones’ market is increased agricultural output. Higher crop yields and a better understanding of precision farming are raising demand for these drones.

The global agricultural drones’ market is expected

Agrotech

The eligibility criteria for the PLI scheme for drones and drone components includes an annual sales turnover of Rs 2 crore for drone companies and Rs 50 lacs for drone components manufacturers

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has opened the application window for those manufacturers of drones and drone components, who may have crossed the PLI eligibility threshold for the full financial year.

The final list of PLI beneficiaries is expected to be released by June 30, 2022 after detailed scrutiny of their financial results and other specified documents. 

Earlier on April 20, 2022, MoCA has published a provisional list of 14 PLI beneficiaries based on the financial results submitted by PLI applicants for the ten-month period. These include five drone manufacturers and nine drone component manufacturers. 

The eligibility criteria for the PLI scheme for drones and drone components includes an annual sales turnover of Rs 2 crore for drone companies and Rs 50 lacs for drone components manufacturers; and value addition of over 40 per cent of sales turnover.

The PLI scheme for drones and drone components was notified on September 30, 2021. Under the scheme, a total incentive of Rs 120 crore is spread over three financial year which is nearly double the combined turnover of all domestic drone manufacturers in FY 2020-21. The PLI rate is 20 per cent of the value addition which is one of the highest among other PLI scheme.

The eligibility criteria for the PLI scheme

Agrotech

The technology is believed to boost crop yields and lower the input costs due to high fuel prices

A total fleet of 100 units of drone sprayers has been recently fulfilled by XAG, making it the single largest order of drones for agricultural use in the history of Ukraine. XAG has been working with local businesses to meet the rapidly increasing demand for drone spraying service. The technology is believed to boost crop yields and lower the input costs due to high fuel prices. An adequate provision of such autonomous equipment can help farmers better prepare the upcoming agricultural season.

DroneUA, XAG’s local partner and the main integrator of unmanned solutions in Ukraine, makes the fulfillment of this large-scale order successful. The first batch of 50 XAG Agricultural Drones has been handled over to Robotic Agrosystems, which is one of the largest service companies of its kind in Ukraine, with the remaining 50 to be delivered over the next few months.

In a few weeks, 59 mobile crews formed by precision farming specialists of Robotic Agrosystems, will start to learn operating the drones on farms and provide spraying services to farmers from all over Ukraine. It is estimated that XAG’s drone fleet of 100 units will cultivate more than 500 thousand hectares of crops in the 2022 farming season.

The introduction of XAG’s agricultural drone into Ukraine’s fertile lands has been in full swing since 2021. With the precision spraying technology, the XAG drones were used on farm for various applications, from weeding, fertilisation, pest and disease control to desiccation. The technology has also served a diversity of major crops, such as wheat, barley, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower, that constitute the cornerstone of the country’s agricultural export.

According to Igor Tchaikovsky, the owner of Robotic Agrosystems, last year their team cultivated 10,000 hectares of land even with a much smaller XAG drone fleet and received positive feedback from customers.

The technology is believed to boost crop

Agro Universities, Agrotech, R&D

The MoU will explore joint research in the areas of crop protection and the use of drones in agriculture

Dhanuka Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad to jointly provide technical know-how and support to farmers in Telangana. The MoU will also explore joint research in the areas of crop protection and the use of drones in agriculture. Dhanuka Group chairman RG Agarwal showcasing drones for agriculture use.

Dhanuka Group plans to participate and sponsor conferences and together with the university will jointly conduct research activities in the field of crop protection chemicals. In partnership with the university, Dhanuka will encourage farmers to use modern agriculture technologies, which will play a vital role in increasing crop production.

The company has procured two drones and will train 30-40 drone pilots to aid farmers across India, including Telangana.

The MoU will explore joint research in