Indian agriculture has long been a story of adaptation and innovation, from the Green Revolution of the 1960s to the widespread adoption of high-yielding seed varieties and modern inputs. Today, however, a new set of challenges is emerging: rising input costs, shrinking rural labour availability, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. These factors are collectively widening the gap in timely and efficient agrochemical application. Amid these constraints, drone-based spraying technology is gaining attention as a potential game-changer. But can it truly fill the void?

Agrochemical application: A system under strain

India, a leading producer and consumer of agrochemicals, has multiple disruptions—global supply chain bottlenecks, geopolitical uncertainties, and stringent regulatory changes—all of which have hindered the timely availability of crop protection products. More critically, erratic weather patterns, driven by climate change, have reduced the window available for pest and disease control. Pest outbreaks often occur across large areas simultaneously, making manual spraying not only inefficient but also too slow to prevent damage.

The shortage of rural labour exacerbates this issue. Manual spraying is labour-intensive, uneven in coverage, and poses health risks to applicators. Rising wages and migration to urban centres have made it increasingly difficult for farmers, particularly those with large holdings, to execute time-sensitive sprays using conventional methods.

The emergence of agricultural drones

In response, agricultural drones—or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)—have emerged as a viable and scalable solution. Over the past few years, drone adoption has accelerated, driven by supportive policies, increasing affordability, and the rapid development of India’s drone ecosystem.

Drone spraying offers multiple advantages. Equipped with GPS and AI-enabled flight programming, drones ensure uniform agrochemical application with significantly less resource usage. A drone can spray an acre in under 10 minutes, reducing pesticide usage by 20–30 per cent and water consumption by up to 90 per cent compared to traditional methods. This efficiency translates to faster operations, enabling farmers to respond promptly to pest infestations and minimising yield losses due to delayed applications.

Moreover, drones improve safety by reducing human exposure to hazardous chemicals. They are especially effective in inaccessible or hazardous terrains, such as hilly or waterlogged fields, where manual operations are impractical. Given the increasing incidence of extreme weather, having a rapid-response spraying tool becomes indispensable.

Policy support and public-private momentum

Recognising the potential of drones in transforming Indian agriculture, the government has taken several proactive steps. The Drone Rules 2021 eased operational restrictions, and schemes like the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM) are offering financial incentives for drone purchases and demonstrations. Public-private partnerships are playing a crucial role in spreading awareness, conducting field trials, and facilitating pilot training.

The Government’s ‘Drone Didi’ initiative empowers women by providing drones, worth ₹8–10 lakh, at a subsidized cost of around ₹2 lakh. This enables them to offer spray services in villages and earn sustainable incomes. The Prime Minister, in his Mann Ki Baat, highlighted a drone didi who earned over ₹5 lakh in a year, underscoring the model’s potential.

Meanwhile, Private players are advancing Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) models, eliminating high upfront costs for farmers while creating rural jobs by training youth as drone operators and agri-tech entrepreneurs.

Barriers to scale: Regulation, cost, and capacity

Despite this momentum, several challenges must be addressed for drone spraying to become mainstream. Regulatory approval for aerial application of many agrochemicals is still limited. Without a broader and clearer framework, adoption may remain fragmented.

Additionally, quality assurance is crucial. Poor-quality drones or inadequately trained operators can lead to uneven spraying, crop damage, and mistrust among farmers. Certification of both drone equipment and operators must be enforced and monitored rigorously.

While service-based models help reduce capital costs, awareness and trust will take time to build in rural areas. Weather sensitivity—particularly to wind—also limits operational windows, making drones a strong supplement but not yet a full replacement for all traditional spraying methods.

The road ahead: Towards smart, data-driven agriculture

The future of drones in Indian agriculture goes beyond spraying, with AI, GIS, and multispectral imaging enabling crop monitoring. This precision farming approach boosts yields, lowers costs, and minimizes environmental impact. As India navigates rising input prices, labour shortages, and weather uncertainties, drones represent more than a fix—they offer a pathway to a smarter, resilient farming ecosystem. With the right mix of policy facilitation, private innovation, and rural capacity building, drones are poised to become integral to Indian agriculture as tractors once did.

Drone-based spraying is key to the future of Indian agriculture. With the right ecosystem and rural skill development, it can bridge the agrochemical gap and drive sustainable, high-productivity farming.

The author is Chairman Emeritus, Dhanuka Agritech Limited

Published on June 29, 2025