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HomePosts Tagged "Founder and CEO"
Agrotech, Company News, Drones, India

Company has trained 500 women in drone technology and distributed 446 drones among women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across 20 states in India.

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, Garuda Aerospace stands proud to announce its unwavering commitment to empowering women through pioneering initiatives in drone technology. Recognising the transformative potential of women in the field of aviation, Garuda Aerospace has spearheaded groundbreaking programs, training initiatives, and contributions, particularly in initiatives like the Namo Drone Didi Yojana.

Garuda Aerospace is proud to announce that over 500 women have been empowered through its comprehensive training programs in drone technology. These programs have not only equipped women with essential skills but have also fostered an environment where they can thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Through initiatives like the Namo Drone Didi Yojana, Garuda Aerospace has played a pivotal role in promoting gender equality and economic empowerment in rural communities. Garuda Kisan Drones are most advanced with autopilot features making them very easy to learn and use. Over 20 states across India have been positively impacted by the distribution of over 446 drones to women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs), enabling them to become key players in agricultural innovation and sustainability. Garuda Aerospace has gifted a drone to one deserving drone didi in this initiative. After completing the training, these women can earn upto 50 thousand rupees to 70 thousand rupees per month with their drone skills.

“I stand with the remarkable women who have joined me in navigating the aerospace landscape. Together, we’ve confronted the challenges of a traditionally male-dominated industry, striving to break barriers and pave the way for future generations. As the first woman drone pilot, I’m committed to advocating for diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every woman in our industry has the opportunity to thrive. Our journey towards equality is ongoing, and initiatives like comprehensive training programs and equitable practices are essential steps forward. As we aim for a 50 per cent female workforce by 2025, we celebrate the resilience and achievements of all women in aerospace. Happy Women’s Day!” said Rithika Agnishwar, Co-Founder, Garuda Aerospace.

“Garuda Aerospace believes in the power of women to drive change and innovation in the aviation industry,” said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO, Garuda Aerospace. “Through our pioneering initiatives in drone technology, we are not merely empowering women; we are also reshaping the landscape of drone technology and agriculture. By providing comprehensive training, resources, and opportunities, we are breaking barriers and creating a future where gender equality and inclusion are the cornerstones of success”

Company has trained 500 women in drone

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Company News, Drones, India, Start ups

Dual certification will enhance Garuda Aerospace’s capabilities, allowing them to advance their training and manufacturing efforts in drone technology.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted Garuda Aerospace authorisation for Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) for Small and Medium Class drones. This recognition makes Garuda Aerospace the sole drone company in India with a dual certification for both training and manufacturing of small and medium class drones. This dual authorization enhances Garuda Aerospace’s capabilities, allowing them to advance their training and manufacturing efforts in drone technology, said the company in the statement.

The DGCA’s approval not only fortifies Garuda Aerospace’s commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Namo Drone Didi’ initiative, empowering 15,000 women Self Help Groups with agricultural drones but also supports the company’s goal of training 100,000 youth across India as drone pilots.

Additionally, the certification aligns with Garuda Aerospace’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiative, particularly the Equality Drone Training Program benefiting individuals with disabilities.

Garuda Aerospace’s array of small and medium drones caters to diverse applications. Small drones are well-suited for surveillance, monitoring, and photography, while medium drones excel in tasks like agricultural mapping, spraying, infrastructure inspection, delivery services, and emergency response.

While commenting on DGCA’s dual certification, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO emphasised Garuda Aerospace’s commitment to excellence and its vision for the company and the nation. He believes that drones hold transformative potential across various sectors and anticipates that the DGCA certifications, coupled with government support, will accelerate the adoption of drones in India, positioning the country as a global hub.

Garuda Aerospace, in support of various initiatives, recently showcased over 1000 drones during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. With earlier Type Certificates and RPTO Authorization for Garuda Kisan Drones, and a second Type Certification for medium class drones. Following the launch of the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ initiative, Garuda Aerospace aims to expedite its Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Dual certification will enhance Garuda Aerospace’s capabilities,

Agrotech, Digital Technologies, Drones, India, Opinions

By Dr Sat Kumar Tomar, Founder and CEO, Satyukt Analytics

The amount of data in the agriculture sector is increasing at an exponential rate. Smart tractors, drones, and other linked farm equipment are examples of connected equipment (IoT) gadgets that are starting to accumulate data. Growers and leaders in agriculture are realising that big data holds the key to unlocking discoveries that could accelerate the development of new technologies and improve soil health, plant genomics, animal management, and other areas. With embedded AI, agriculture analytics may extract useful insights that can improve agricultural production, animal and plant health, sustainable practices, and more.

With over 50 per cent of its population engaged in farming, the impact of ever-changing climate patterns on agriculture is profound in India. Notably, as two-thirds of the farmland in the country depends on rainwater, the climate stands as the primary factor affecting crop productivity.

Climate change is therefore a major worry, impacting agriculture both directly and indirectly. This change reflects itself through higher global temperatures, rising sea levels, more intense rainfall, glacier melting, shifts in crop growing seasons, and an increased frequency of extreme events like droughts and floods.

In light of the above, the use of agri-analytics, incorporating soil testing, plant disease diagnosis, precision agriculture, digital farming, agricultural remote sensing, and more, is increasingly vital in enhancing agricultural sustainability and productivity.

Soil Testing for Precision Agriculture

Soil forms the foundation of agriculture, and its health directly influences crop yields. In India, where more than 70 per cent of cultivated land suffers from soil degradation, soil testing is a crucial component of agricultural resilience. Soil testing involves analysing the nutrient content, pH levels, and other parameters of the soil to determine its health. By utilising data from soil testing, farmers can make informed decisions about fertilisers and irrigation, leading to improved crop yields and reduced environmental impact.

Plant Disease Diagnosis for Crop Health

Climate change brings not only unpredictable weather patterns but also altered pest and disease dynamics. The increased prevalence of pests and diseases poses a significant threat to crop health. Accurate and timely diagnosis of plant diseases is crucial for early intervention, preventing crop losses, and reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Agri-analytics can assist farmers by offering tools and technologies for plant disease diagnosis, allowing for quicker responses and more sustainable pest control methods.

Precision Agriculture and Farming

Precision agriculture and precision farming are methodologies that integrate technology and data-driven approaches to optimise crop production. These techniques can mitigate the risks associated with climate change. Precision agriculture primarily involves utilising advanced technologies such as ground, air or satellite-based sensors to manage resources efficiently. It enables precise planting, irrigation, and harvesting, reducing waste and increasing yields. By adopting precision farming practices, farmers can adapt to changing climate conditions and enhance agricultural resilience.

Digital Farming for Data-Driven Decision Making

Digital farming which boasts of various technologies, including precision agriculture, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) allows farmers to collect and analyse data from sensors, drones, and other sources to make informed decisions about their crops and land. Digital farming empowers farmers with real-time information about weather conditions, soil health, and crop growth, enabling them to respond proactively to climate-related challenges.

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

By Dr Sat Kumar Tomar, Founder and

Agrotech, Company News, Drones, India, Start ups

Garuda Aerospace donates Rs 1 crores worth of free Kisan Drones to Kaushalya – The Skill University, Gujrat for specialised training programs in agriculture and skilling.

Garuda Aerospace, India’s leading drone manufacturer, and Kaushalya – The Skill University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost drone technology education in India.

Under the terms of the MoU, Garuda Aerospace commits to providing Kaushalya – The Skill University with 10 small category agricultural drones, valued at approximately Rs 1 crore. These drones will be utilised for specialised training programs in agriculture, contributing to skill development in this crucial sector. Furthermore, Garuda Aerospace will offer mentorship support for drone technology to students and start-ups associated with the university. The collaboration extends beyond hardware support. Garuda Aerospace will provide the services of technical experts in the field of drones through online and offline channels. The company will also engage in collaborative research, indigenization, and product development with university faculties. In a bid to bridge the gap between training and employment, Garuda Aerospace will extend placement support to trainees undergoing drone training through the “Bharat Drone Association.”

” We look forward to synergising our efforts with Kaushalya – The Skill University and contributing to the nation’s progress in the field of drone technology. Recognizing the immense potential and youthful dynamism in Vibrant Gujarat, we are excited about the prospect of positioning the state as the Drone Hub of India. Our enthusiasm stems from the collaborative efforts to equip the younger generation with vital drone skills, aligning seamlessly with our vision for substantial employment growth. Prime Minister Modiji’s visionary initiative, involving the launch of 100 drones in 100 areas and his commitment to deploying 1 lakh drones in the next two years, underscores the rapid expansion of the drone industry. This ambitious goal necessitates the training of 1 lakh pilots, and Gujarat is well-poised to make a significant contribution—10% to the total Drone Pilot community. This development marks a pivotal step in propelling Gujarat to the forefront of the burgeoning drone technology landscape, and we are proud to play a role in this transformative journey.” said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO, Garuda Aerospace.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed between Kaushalya – The Skill University, Govt. of Gujarat, was formally signed in the esteemed presence of the Minister for Industry Small, Micro, and Medium Industries Kutir, Khadi, and Village Industries Civil Aviation Labour and Employment, Balvantsinh Rajput. The signing ceremony involved H.R. Suthar (IAS retd), representing Kaushalya – The Skills University, and Dr. Vijayakumar Rajarathinam, Chief Operating Officer of Garuda Aerospace Private Limited, Chennai.

Garuda Aerospace donates Rs 1 crores worth

Agrotech, Digital Technologies, India, Opinions

 By Dr Sat Kumar Tomar, Founder and CEO, Satyukt Analytics

The fusion of agriculture and analytics empowers farmers with the actionable insights and tools needed to overcome the uncertainties of a changing climate and increasing demand for food. The right investments and partnerships can help agri-analytics revolutionise the agriculture sector. This will facilitate a sustainable and secure food supply for the future.

India stands as a prominent player in the agriculture sector globally. It is a major source of livelihood for a significant part of its population and also a huge contributor to the world’s agricultural landscape. Boasting expansive wheat, rice, and cotton plantations, the largest cattle herd, and being the leading producer of milk, pulses, and spices, India plays a key role in ensuring food security on a global scale. Employing nearly half of the nation’s workforce, the Indian agricultural sector will witness substantial growth, with forecasts indicating that it will be valued at $24 billion by 2025, as per the latest reports. However, the journey toward sustainable food production is not without challenges, and a synergy between agriculture and analytics holds the key to overcoming them.

Agriculture Analytics is helping bridge the gap

The combination of agriculture and analytics, commonly referred to as agri-analytics, has evolved as an important solution to the challenges confronting modern agriculture. Today, advancements in technologies such as satellite data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and many analytics tools have found their way into the sector. Moreover, the key driver of growth in the agriculture analytics market is the increasing government initiatives aimed at deploying improved agricultural techniques. The volumes of data generated by the agriculture sector are rising steeply, and the adoption of IoT devices that collect data from connected farm equipment, such as smart tractors and drones, is further adding to the growth momentum of agriculture analytics. This, in turn, leads to noteworthy progress in plant genomics, soil health, livestock management, and the instant development of new technologies using satellite data and analytics.

Agri-Analytics for a Sustainable Future

Being the foundational pillar of economies worldwide, agriculture plays an essential role in meeting the demands of a fast-growing global population. The world’s population will witness a 33 per cent increase by 2025; that is, it will touch 9.7 billion, approximately, as per the United Nations. This brings to the fore the demanding issue of food security, which is dependent on the ability of agriculture to adapt to the changing world. In addition, the sector must also deal with the challenges put forth by climate change, which is likely to have a substantial impact on agricultural production.

Climate Change and Agriculture

Climate change is a significant challenge that threatens the very foundation of agriculture. The erratic weather patterns, extreme temperatures, and changing precipitation levels associated with climate change pose a considerable challenge to crop production. The unpredictability of weather events can result in crop losses, putting food security at risk. Thus, the sector urgently needs to adjust to these changing conditions and reduce their impact. This is where agri-analytics enters the scene as a powerful tool for both understanding and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

Data-driven insights can help farmers make informed decisions with respect to crop varieties, ideal planting duration, and irrigation schedules, which in turn can impact crop yields. Analytics tools can help detect early signs of stress in crops, enabling farmers to take proactive measures to mitigate potential damage. By integrating previous climate data and real-time weather information, farmers can plan their operations more competently, lowering the risks linked to extreme weather events.

The Role of Satellite Data in Agriculture

The use of satellite data in agriculture is witnessing an unprecedented increase, and it is set to revolutionize the sector. Through advanced analytics, farmers can use data to gain actionable knowledge about their operations. These understandings entail a wide range of factors, from soil health and pest management to crop quality and yield predictions.

With the advent of predictive analytics, farmers can take a proactive approach to addressing challenges. Subscription-based services offer real-time alerts about crop conditions, enabling farmers to make timely interventions. This level of control over the farming process empowers farmers to optimize their daily tasks, ultimately leading to improved crop yields and resource efficiency.

Challenges in implementing Farm Analytics

While the potential benefits of farm analytics are apparent, there are challenges to overcome. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies needs high initial investments. Moreover, competent farming tools and awareness among farmers are necessary to make the most of these technologies.

The Future of Agri-Analytics

Agri-analytics is set to transform the agricultural landscape in the coming years. It promises to not only enhance productivity but also ensure the sustainability of farming practices. By providing farmers with data-driven insights, it allows them to make informed decisions, adjust to changing conditions, and optimize their operations.

Collaboration between the agricultural sector and technology companies, both established and startups, is key to realizing the full potential of agri-analytics. Through partnerships and investments, the industry can develop solutions that are both accessible and affordable for farmers of all scales.

Conclusion

Agriculture analytics has become an indispensable instrument in dealing with the challenges of food security, climate change, and a growing global population. The fusion of agriculture and analytics empowers farmers with the actionable insights and tools needed to overcome the uncertainties of a changing climate and increasing demand for food. The right investments and partnerships can help agri-analytics revolutionise the agriculture sector. This will facilitate a sustainable and secure food supply for the future.

 By Dr Sat Kumar Tomar, Founder and

Agrotech, Interaction, Opinions

 By Anil Kumar SG, Founder and CEO, Samunnati

Indian agriculture is cruising on the IT superhighway fueled by increasing digitisation, leading to low cost of acquiring data on everything from land records, topography, soil conditions, to crop development, weather-related data collected by drones and satellites. Application of technologies has also introduced new funding opportunities for investors, and startups, which are now striving to tackle the major challenges that farmers face. 

India’s agriculture and animal husbandry sector demonstrated remarkable resilience even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Valued at $370 billion, the sector continues to be the principal source of income for over 40 per cent of the population and contributes a fifth of the country’s GDP (FY 2021). But the sector has been plagued for long by chronic structural issues and inefficient commodity value chains, since 86 pe cent of India’s farmers belong to the small and marginal category.

India still loses close to 40 per cent of its horticulture production mainly due to fragmented and disconnected supply chains, poor post-harvest management, lack of processing facilities, lack of connectivity via roads, absence of scientific storage during distribution, and so on. Farmers neither have access to timely information nor actionable advice and price signals do not reach them in time. Hence, overall, the agri commodities supply chains are operating at sub-optimal capacities.

Role of innovations and technology

Despite chronic issues such as low literacy levels, poor digital literacy, inadequate infrastructure and lack of access to formal financial systems, India has made huge progress on all these fronts in the last few decades. Farmers adopt those technologies or innovations that are simple to understand, easy to use, and give demonstrable results on the field.

Scale-neutrality is another important factor that is vital to ease the technology transition for farmers, especially, the use of digital tools. The COVID-19 pandemic in fact, contributed towards pushing farmers towards the ‘digital advisory’ model. Many Indian AgTech companies currently providing innovative products for enhancing traceability, cutting wastage in supply chain, real time weather monitoring or pests and disease alerts, are helping the farmers, mainly smallholders, get connected to the wider ecosystem and vice versa.

Several AgTech players support farmer collectives (Farmer Producer Organizations/ Farmer Producer Companies) through digitisation. Recently, the Indian government also launched an initiative to establish 10,000 farmer-owned cooperatives by 2024. When FPOs are coupled with e-commerce B2B and B2C platforms at the front end, commodity supply chains transform into demand-driven and market-oriented value chains by eliminating inefficient processes and intermediaries. FPOs can facilitate faster adoption of productivity-boosting technologies by leveraging economies of scale and building the necessary infrastructure. All these are slowly but steadily helping the commodity value chains become lean, and efficient.

Innovation-led growth

Among all the issues, credit remains the most important for a farmer. Equally important is for farmers to have access to formal financial sources to avoid exploitation by indiscriminate agents or money lenders. Easing access to finance will help risk-averse farmers invest in better quality inputs, and technologies, which will ultimately enhance their incomes. Tech-driven fintech companies are creating innovative products and services to suit those who traditionally remained ‘unbankable’ for long in the agri value chains, mainly the smallholder farmers. Synergistic partnerships are critical and evolution of newer concepts like Co-lending arrangements wherein traditional banks are partnering with the new-age, digitally driven fintech NBFCs, which can lead to enhanced financial inclusion to help the underserved and the unserved like MSMEs, and tier 3, 4 cities. 

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

 By Anil Kumar SG, Founder and CEO,