India’s Drone Revolution in Farming: Market to Take Off to $631M by 2030

17 Dec, 2024

A revolution is happening in Indian agriculture, and drones are becoming a tool that is changing everything. Drones are going to change the Indian agriculture sector in many ways, from making up for a lack of workers to making sure that farming is done correctly.

The agricultural drone market is currently valued at $145.4 million, with 7000 drones in use, and is anticipated to reach $631.4 million by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.1%, According to the news by The Hindu, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, the founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace said. He also discussed the potential for drones to transform landscapes and the increasing prevalence of their use across the country.

Why Agricultural Drones Are Gaining Popularity?

Drones are helping Indian farmers with a number of problems they are having. Key factors that led to their widespread use are:

• Lack of Workers: Since there are fewer people available to do jobs like spraying pesticides and spreading fertilizer, drones are a great option.

• Cost Efficiency: Focused actions carried out by drones help to lower waste and improve efficiency at less expensive costs.

• Government Initiatives: Grants, government incentives, and training help farmers make drone use possible.

• Increased Awareness: Farmers are becoming more aware of the benefits, further accelerating the adoption of drone technology.

According to the news by The Hindu, Mr. Jayaprakash commented that the Indian market for agricultural drones is about to grow very quickly. He also added, "Drones are set to become an indispensable tool for Indian farmers, ensuring a more efficient, sustainable, and profitable agriculture in the future."

Garuda Aerospace: Leading the Drone Revolution

With over 10 lakh flying hours, 2,500 drones sold, and six DGCA approvals, Garuda Aerospace is at the front of this change. The company's Drone as a Service (DAAS) model has a significant market share, with a 25–30% share of the tangible drone market and a 45–50% share of the drone services market.

According to the news by The Hindu, Mr. Jayaprakash states, "Our focus on indigenisation, affordable drone solutions, securing government subsidies, and partnerships with global giants like Lockheed Martin and Thales has helped."

Drones in Agriculture Have a Bright Future

Within 5 to 7 years, drone use in Indian agriculture is projected to skyrocket from 1% to 80%. This is a much faster rate than the adoption of tractors, which took almost 20 years to reach the same level.

It is estimated that the total number of drones in use will reach 6-7 lakh units by 2030-31. This will open up a lot of opportunities for manufacturers, service providers, and farmers. Currently, most of the market is dominated by 35 to 40 drone companies. This will also increase in the coming years.

Geographic Hotspots for Drone Adoption

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh use the highest numbers of drones. These places are ideal for farming as they have favorable farming conditions and government policies.

While both Punjab and Haryana have plenty of agricultural land, drone use is still somewhat new in both places. Usually hovering between ₹4 and 5 lakhs, agricultural drones have 8 to 10 liters of payload capacity. Though they initially cost more, over time, they save farmers time and money; hence, they are a smart investment for them.

The Future Ahead

Modern Indian farming increasingly relies on drones, and the agriculture drone market is predicted to expand rapidly.