Telangana Govt. offers 40% subsidy on agricultural drones

The Telangana government has announced a 40% subsidy on agricultural drones to encourage farmers to adopt modern technology in farming. The initiative is part of the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM) scheme for 2025–26, which aims to make advanced farm equipment more affordable for farmers and farmer organisations.

Under this scheme, farmers and agricultural groups can receive financial assistance to purchase drones that are used for activities such as crop spraying, field monitoring, and precision agriculture.

40% subsidy under the SMAM scheme

The Telangana government will provide a 40% subsidy on the cost of an agricultural drone. The subsidy is introduced to support the adoption of drone technology in agriculture and to reduce the financial burden on farmers who want to use modern tools in their fields.

The scheme will be implemented as part of the SMAM (Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation) programme, which supports farmers in purchasing advanced agricultural machinery and technology. 

Who can benefit from the subsidy

The subsidy is mainly designed for groups and organisations that support farmers collectively. Beneficiaries may include:

• Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
• Cooperative societies
• Small and marginal farmers
• Women farmers and SC/ST farmers (priority beneficiaries)

How to apply for the agricultural drone subsidy

• Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives can apply for the subsidy.
• Applications must be submitted through the Telangana Agriculture Department under the SMAM 2025–26 scheme.
• Interested applicants should contact their District Agriculture Office for the application process and further details.

Why agricultural drones are becoming important

Agricultural drones are increasingly being used in India because they can perform several farming tasks quickly and accurately.

Drones are mainly used for:

• Spraying pesticides and fertilizers
• Crop monitoring and field inspection
• Detecting pest or disease problems early
• Covering large areas of farmland in less time

Using drones can significantly reduce the time required for spraying operations and also lower labour costs. In addition, drones help apply chemicals more evenly across crops, which can improve crop health and productivity.

Support for modern farming technology

The introduction of drone subsidies is part of a broader effort to promote technology-driven farming in India. Government schemes such as SMAM are designed to help farmers adopt modern agricultural equipment without bearing the full cost.

Companies like Garuda Aerospace develop agricultural drones designed for farming activities such as spraying, crop monitoring, and mapping. These drones are part of the growing agri-tech ecosystem that supports precision agriculture. Subsidy programmes also encourage the use of domestically manufactured drones and strengthen India’s agricultural technology sector.

Conclusion

The Telangana government’s decision to provide 40% subsidy on agricultural drones under the SMAM 2025–26 scheme is a significant step toward modernising agriculture in the state. By reducing the cost of drone technology, the scheme makes it easier for farmers and farmer organisations to access advanced tools that improve efficiency and crop management.

As more farmers adopt drone technology, agriculture in Telangana is expected to become faster, more efficient, and more technology-driven.

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