The Dilemma of the Booming Drone Sector and Its Adoption in Indian Agriculture

Home Student Blog The Dilemma of the Booming Drone Sector and Its Adoption in Indian Agriculture

 

The booming drone sector in India presents a dual-edged dilemma for the agricultural landscape, offering transformative potential while simultaneously raising significant concerns regarding adoption.

 

In India, the potential value for drone-powered solutions is highest in the infrastructure sector at $ 45.2 billion according to an analysis by PricewaterhouseCooper. The second highest value is the agriculture sector at $32 billion for such intervention.

 

While there is no concrete data on the number of drones being used in the agriculture sector, according to an American consulting firm, agricultural drone usage in India will grow at 38.5 % CAGR and reach a value of $121.43 million by 2030. The adoption rate of drones will form 2% of total agriculture machinery spending, the firm predicted.

 

Drones can play a powerful role in modern agriculture by adding cost-saving precision to the aerial distribution of seeds, fertilizer and pesticides.

 

But despite these advantages, drones in agriculture-dependent countries are only infrequently acquired and deployed by farmers in need.  This is especially true in major farm producing countries like India that are relative newcomers to the drone industry.  A May 2023 study conducted among farmers in India attempted to identify the main issues standing in the way of more widespread drone use in the country’s farm sector.  The barriers ranged widely, and included a combination of Technical, attitudinal, behavioural, regulatory, social and financial factors. 

 

In My Opinion, there is a need for monetary incentives to farmers to purchase and deploy drones as well as special tax benefits to drone companies, especially those from outside India seeking to form partnerships and joint ventures with Indian start-ups now eager to enter the burgeoning drone market.

 

Simplifying regulatory processes and ensuring proper safety guidelines will encourage wider use. Demonstrating drone benefits through pilot projects such as improved crop health monitoring, efficient pesticide use, and higher yields can build trust and showcase tangible benefits, motivating farmers to embrace drone technology for sustainable, precise agriculture. 

 

Aman Gupta

Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh

MBA 1st Year Student

Universal Ai University