Connect with:
Thursday / November 7. 2024

logo
mobile-logo
HomePosts Tagged "Marut Drones"
Agribusiness, Drones, Finance, Funding, India

Company plans to use the funds in developing advanced agricultural drones tailored to customer needs, expanding its channel partner network and service centres in Tier II and III cities.

Drone technology firm Marut Drones has bagged $6.2 million in Series A funding from investment firm Lok Capital. The Hyderabad-based company plans to use the funds in initiatives, including developing advanced agricultural drones tailored to customer needs, expanding its channel partner network and service centres in Tier II and III cities, and establishing drone agriculture service hubs to provide Drone-as-a-Service through partnerships.

“The fresh capital will allow us to make investments in building our team, increasing our manufacturing capacity to 3,000 drones per annum and marketing to continue scaling at a rapid pace to reach a revenue target of Rs1000 crore in the next five years,” CEO and co-founder Prem Kumar Vislawath said.

Company mentioned that it plans to allocate funds towards several initiatives, including development of advanced agricultural drones tailored to customer needs, expand channel partner network and service centres into tier 2-3 cities to better serve rural customers and establish drone agriculture service hubs to offer drone-as-a-service. Across all verticals, it aims to recruit professionals besides promoting drone entrepreneurship, launch 17 new drone academies to train skilled professionals and enhance research and development efforts towards creating advanced applications like direct seeding and crop monitoring.

Founded in 2019 by three IIT Alumni—Prem Kumar Vislawath, Suraj Peddi and Sai Kumar Chinthala- Marut Drones aims to play a pivotal role in modernising agriculture across diverse geographies. The drone tech company intends to create rural employment opportunities for Tier II and III cities, contributing to enhanced productivity and reduced input costs for farmers.

“We are excited to partner with the team at Marut to bring solutions to farmers and the broader rural economy,” Hari Krishnan, Director of Lok Capital, said in a statement.

“Drones for agriculture are a novel technology that can secure the health of crops, while also saving water, preserving soil health, avoiding exposure to chemicals, increase yield to farmers and providing income to village-level entrepreneurs,” Krishnan added.

 Marut Drones Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Prem Kumar Vislawath, noted that the fresh capital will also allow the firm to make investments in building its team, increasing its manufacturing capacity to 3000 drones per annum, and marketing. The company has over 200 team members and a fleet of 750 drones and over 1,000 drone pilots across 14 states in India.

It plans to recruit professionals across all verticals and foster drone entrepreneurship. The firm also intends to launch 17 new drone academies to train skilled professionals and enhance its research and development efforts in partnership with leading institutions in India to create advanced applications like direct seeding and crop monitoring.

The Hyderabad-based company is also exploring disaster management and surveillance applications as it intends to become a comprehensive drone technology provider. It aims to reach a revenue target of 1000 crore in the next five years. Drone startups secured $50 million in investment in FY24, marking a threefold increase from the previous year, according to NITI Aayog. A report by NITI Aayog notes that the unmanned aerial vehicle market in India is projected to reach $15 billion by 2030.

The Indian drone market is expected to grow significantly, with drone volumes increasing to 61,393 units by 2029 from 10,803 units in 2024, according to projections by markets research firm Markets and Markets.

Company plans to use the funds in

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro chems – Pesticides, Collaborations, Company News, Drones, India

Under the terms of the agreement, Marut Drones will be employing state-of-the-art drone technology to administer a range of agricultural inputs developed by IFFCO Agri-products.

In a significant move towards revolutionizing agricultural practices in India, the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has entered a strategic partnership with Marut Drones to undertake drone spray operations across an extensive area spanning up to 5 lakh acres. This collaboration marks a pivotal step towards enhancing agricultural productivity and efficiency in the states of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana.

Under the terms of the agreement, Marut Drones will be employing state-of-the-art drone technology to administer a range of agricultural inputs developed by IFFCO Agri-products. This initiative aims to optimize crop yields while minimizing environmental impact, ultimately contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.

One of the key highlights of this tie-up is the creation of demand for rural entrepreneurs who have already invested in drone technology. By providing drones as a service (DAAS) for farmers, this collaboration empowers local communities and fosters self-employment opportunities. Additionally, individuals keen on acquiring agricultural drones can avail themselves of government subsidies, facilitating their participation in the initiative and enabling them to offer drone services to farmers on a pay-per-acre basis.

DAAS enables farmers to access drone technology through rural drone entrepreneurs at a per-acre cost, ensuring affordability and accessibility even for small-scale farmers. Furthermore, drone owners and service providers can enroll with Marut to receive incentives for spraying IFFCO products on every acre.

Commenting on the partnership, Co-founder and CEO of Marut Drones Prem Kumar emphasized the transformative role of technology in modern agriculture stating, “This collaboration signifies a paradigm shift in farming practices, allowing farmers to minimize direct contact with pesticides, thereby safeguarding their health. Furthermore, the utilization of drones addresses labor shortages by completing tasks in a fraction of the time it would take manually, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.”

The IFFCO & Marut Drones tie-up underscores a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability in agriculture, paving the way for a more prosperous and resilient farming ecosystem. By harnessing the power of drone technology, this collaboration seeks to empower farmers, drive economic growth, and ensure food security for future generations.

Under the terms of the agreement, Marut

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Drones, India, R&D

Direct seeding drone is developed in collaboration with Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University (PJTSAU) incorporates a multi-nozzle aerial seed dispensing device.

Marut Drones, has been granted the world’s first utility patent for a term of 20 years starting from November 29, 2021, under the provisions of the Patents Act, 1970. This patent recognizes Marut’s direct seeding drone, developed in collaboration with Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University (PJTSAU), which incorporates a multi-nozzle aerial seed dispensing device. With this patent, Marut Drones endeavors to facilitate the widespread adoption of direct seeding drones for rice cultivation at the grassroots level.

Marut’s seeding drones have obtained the patent following scientific validation by PJTSAU, which has also released Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for their use. This validation underscores the reliability and efficacy of the technology in enhancing rice production.

The patented system enables the aerial dispersion of diverse rice seeds through a meticulously designed multi-nozzle mechanism, optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of seed-sowing processes. Marut has adhered to standard operating procedures for seeding, ensuring precise parameters such as drone speed, swath width, nozzle type and pressure, spray volume, spraying altitude, and droplet size in Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) using drones.

Prem Kumar Vislawath, CEO and Founder of Marut Drones, emphasized, “This patented technology will revolutionize rice farming practices in India. By reducing on-farm manual labor through drone technology, we aim to address the persistent challenges faced by farmers, particularly labor shortages due to rapid urbanization. From seeding paddy to controlling mosquitoes and pests in rice fields, labor costs pose significant hurdles. Through our collaboration with PJTSAU, we seek to promote the widespread adoption of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) through drones, fostering a more economically viable and sustainable rice cultivation ecosystem.”

Marut’s direct seeding drone is a multi-utility attachment, enabling farmers to utilise drones not only for pesticide application/spraying but also for direct seeding, thereby accelerating Return on Investment (ROI). This multi-functionality allows the drone to be utilised around the year, justifying its name AG365.

By leveraging Marut Drones’ innovative DSR drones, farmers can achieve a remarkable 92 per cent reduction in water usage, significantly accelerating ROI and profitability timelines from 3 years to just 1.5 years. The DSR drones are highly feasible under delayed monsoons, late release of canal water, or other contingency situations, addressing major challenges faced by rice farmers.

Traditional obstacles such as nursery time, transplantation, and skilled labor shortages are effectively mitigated, empowering farmers with enhanced operational efficiency and flexibility. With Marut’s DSR drones, farmers can sow up to 30 acres in a single day, requiring only 33,333 man-days to cover 500,000 acres compared to the 50 lakh man-days required for manual transplanting. Moreover, this technology minimizes operational exposure to harmful pesticides during pest outbreaks.

Through extensive trials conducted across 5 states, Marut Drones is poised to revolutionize rice farming practices nationwide. As India grapples with the impending dip of 2 million tons in rice production, creating disruptions in the global rice market, Marut Drones aims to seed 1 million hectares of land by 2030.

Marut’s patented technology not only opens avenues for rural employment but also encourages the establishment of Community Health Centers (CHCs) facilitated by Farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and women self-help groups.

Direct seeding drone is developed in collaboration

Agrotech, Company News, Environment, India, Nature, Start ups

These drones are meticulously designed to disperse seed balls in challenging terrains, including valleys and foothills, providing access to even the most remote areas.

Hyderabad based Marut Drones, India’s premier Drone manufacturing Company, has introduced its pioneering initiative, the Seedcopter 2.0 – India’s first reforestation drone. Marut Drones is delighted to announce the availability of Seedcopter services to corporate entities, enabling them to actively engage in CSR activities and reforestation efforts. Marut aspires to bring together corporate entities and their dedicated CSR teams to take the services of Seedcopters in the reforestation journey, an activity that would align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13, 15, 17 & 9) and actively participate in the management of their carbon footprint while making a lasting and transformative impact on the environment.

These drones are meticulously designed to disperse seed balls in challenging terrains, including valleys and foothills, providing access to even the most remote areas. The drones significantly reduce the time and labor required for afforestation, offering an efficient and cost-effective solution. Notable environmentalists like Padmashree Jadav Payeng from Assam, popularly known as the Forest Man of India, and Padmashree Daripalli Ramaiah from Telangana are key ambassadors for Marut’s Seedcopter.

Marut Drones has successfully utilized the Seedcopter for its ongoing mission to plant One Billion Trees by 2030 through its flagship ‘Hara-Bahara’ campaign. The notable achievement of planting more than one crore trees across 9 states like Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Assam in 2022 reflects the undeniable success of Seedcopters. Marut is on a mission to restore 900 forests through ‘Hara-Bahara’ campaign and is already well underway.

Renowned actor and environmental advocate Rana Daggubati, joined forces with Marut Drones in 2021 to increase forest cover in India through rapid afforestation, using Seedcopter. Speaking on the launch Prem Kumar Vislawath, CEO of Marut Drones, expressed his enthusiasm for making Seedcopter 2.0 available for corporate use with a CSR perspective, stating, “With Seedcopter, we’re not just planting trees; we’re sowing hopes of replanting a forest, one drone at a time. By making Seedcopter 2.0 available as a service for corporate entities, , we aim to extend the reach of drone technology, inviting more stakeholders to contribute to India’s green cover. As stewards of this planet, we have a duty to reawaken the forests we’ve lost.”

At the core of Seedcopter’s approach lies the fusion of community science and cutting-edge technology. Marut’s mission is to empower women and communities in 1400 districts to act and contribute towards reforestation. So far, Marut has empowered 15000 women across 200 communities and has been actively engaging local communities to play a vital role in preparing the seedballs, contributing not only to ecological well-being but also uplifting the socio-economic conditions of communities involved.

Seedcopters embark on their mission with a comprehensive aerial survey and mapping of target areas, providing invaluable insights into topography, soil conditions, and vegetation, enabling informed decisions during the seeding process. Seedcopters release them with precision, ensuring an even distribution across the target terrain, resulting in a higher germination rate and increased chances of tree growth. Post-planting monitoring with data hubs established to track the progress of the planted seeds is a crucial aspect of Marut Drones’ efforts. This data-driven approach helps assess the success of afforestation efforts and fine-tunes strategies for future projects.

These drones are meticulously designed to disperse

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

AgroPolicy, Agrotech

Marut drones will generate economic and employment opportunities in districts in Maharashtra state.

With farmer’s welfare at priority, the Govt. of Maharashtra and Hyderabad based Marut Drones in collaboration introduced Marut’s AG365 drones to farmers of the Buldhana district. Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, personally interacted with the beneficiaries and encouraged them to spread awareness about the use of drones in farming, this is a positive step towards promoting technological advancements in agriculture.

Marut’s AG365S drone, with its highly reliable safety features like collision detection and avoidance system and safe return to launch, has already become a point of attraction for farmers being the first and only drone in Buldhana under the SMAM (Sub-mission On Agriculture Mechanization) scheme. This could potentially lead to improved agricultural practices, increased productivity, and enhanced crop management for the farmers in Buldhana, reducing the cost of production and increasing the profitability.

The SMAM scheme, which aims to promote and strengthen agricultural mechanization, is a crucial initiative for modernizing agriculture across India. The fact that it will be implemented in all Indian states highlights the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and enhancing agricultural practices nationwide.

By showcasing Marut’s multi-utility AG365S drone to farmers as part of this scheme, the Maharashtra agriculture department is playing a key role in educating and training farmers on the benefits and applications of drone technology in agriculture. This can lead to more efficient and sustainable farming practices, ultimately benefiting the farming community and the agricultural sector.

On this occasion, Prem Kumar Vislawath, CEO of Marut Drones said, “Marut’s technology is reaching remote districts to resolve the crisis afflicting the farmer’s community. We are extremely thankful to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for encouraging drone adoption to farmers of Buldhana. With Marut’s AG365 drone, the farming practices will be revolutionized, AG-365 is designed and developed for Indian conditions and can be used for multiple purposes giving a higher return on investment to the farmers. Marut drones will generate economic and employment opportunities in districts, the drones are safe to operate and have flying endurance of 22 minutes. With govt support and partnerships with agriculture departments, we will ensure that Marut’s technology reaches across villages and towns.”

Marut drones will generate economic and employment

Agrotech, Company News, India, Start ups

Marut’s seedcopters aims to plant 1 billion trees by 2030 through its seeding campaign ‘Hara Bahara’.

In a novel attempt to make barren patches green, India’s leading drone manufacturer and service provider Marut Drones launched drone seeding for lands in and around Agra and Ferozabad districts. The ongoing massive afforestation activities under the ‘Hara Bahara’ campaign in these districts spans over 10 acres of forest land. Minister of Forest, Uttar Pradesh – Shri Dara Singh Chauhan, PCCF, UP; HOD of Forest of UP, other government officials, and environmental experts were present during the drone seeding session.

Marut’s Seedcopter is India’s only ‘Type Approved Drone’. Type approval is essential to generate UIN, akin to the engine chassis number, without which no drone weighing more than 250 grams can fly in Indian airspace. In pursuance of the state government’s ‘Vriksharopan Jan Abhiyan’ Marut Drone’s corporate social campaign ‘Hara Bahara’ is providing the technical expertise for dropping seed balls using drones. By aiding pollination and navigating at a micro level, Marut’s seedcopters will save operations time.

With a vision to use technology for a purpose, Marut drones has been working to create innovative drone solutions for healthcare, environment, afforestation, and agriculture in Telangana and Arunachal Pradesh. Marut aims to plant 1 billion trees by 2030, and for forest regeneration, has joined hands as a Technical Partner with the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh under the ‘Vriksharopan Jan Abhiyan 2023’.  This is especially in time, when India is focusing on afforestation and sustainability as a key goal.  Marut’s seed copter activity is aimed at regenerating forests rather than profit-making.

Speaking on the noble initiative, Minister of Forest, Uttar Pradesh, Dara Singh Chauhan said, “We have harnessed drone technology to disperse seeds across 10 acres of land in and around Agra and Firozabad districts. Through campaigns of such scale, we are setting another record today, we hope to amplify the state’s vegetation cover, combat desertification, and cultivate local trees and wild plants.”

Commenting on the nationwide campaign, Founder of Marut Drones, Prem Kumar Vislawath said, “This can be India’s solution to the emerging climate crisis. The seed balls include some seeds of minor forest produce species including some fruit species, this helps in the survival of forest animals and tribal communities, and other forest dwellers. We are hoping to create a positive impact on the local environment and community in Uttar Pradesh by increasing the green cover and raising carbon sequestration.”

Marut’s seedcopters aims to plant 1 billion

Agrotech, India, Start ups

The session was aimed at benefitting both the students and the stakeholders in agriculture research alike.

India’s leading drone manufacturer and service provider Marut Drones was invited to participate in a day’s workshop on Stewardship and Innovative Technologies in Crop Protection at Regional Agricultural Research Station (PJTSAU), Warangal. The workshop came as a joint initiative by CropLife India and Foundation for Agriculture Sustainability and Transformation (FAST).  Prem Kumar Vislawath from Marut Drones conducted a session on ‘Artificial Intelligence and Drone Technologies’ and gave a perspective on the current drone technology landscape in the country and the way forward. The session was aimed at benefitting both the students and the stakeholders in agriculture research alike.

The event was attended by students, researchers, academicians, and agriculturists. The Chief Guest Usha Dayal, District Agriculture Officer, Warangal, delivered an address on developing the country as a pioneer in innovative technologies especially in agriculture.

The Founder of Marut Drones Prem Kumar Vislawath said, “It is an opportune moment for us to be here at the workshop as the students will get some hands-on experience which is very important in giving them the right exposure of the drone industry in India and understand the right skills they need to acquire in this direction.”

Recently Marut Drones was also a prominent was part of the Youth20 (Y20) Inception Meeting as an esteemed panelist at the three-day event. Hosted by the Government of India Y20 at IITG between 6-8 February it aimed to provide the youth a platform to raise their concerns on issues faced in the modern world, contribute vision and ideas towards the policy-making process of the G20 leaders through policy recommendations, and lay the groundwork for programmes of Y20 during India’s G20 Presidency.

The session was aimed at benefitting both