The landscape of the agriculture sector has evolved significantly over the past decade, thanks to improved crop varieties, water conservation, mechanisation and other technologies. Drones are alsoemerging as an effective tool for farmers; as of February 2026, India has registered more than 38,500 drones and has 39,890 DGCA certified remote pilots.
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Agricultural drones are unmanned aircraft used to carry out farm tasks. They were primarily designed for imaging, gathering data, and carrying a spreader or other payloads for field operations. The drone technology is ideally effective when there is a need for information or action over a large area in a short amount of time.
For instance, a drone fitted with a multispectral or thermal camera is able to collect data that would not have been possible to gather manually. Meanwhile, a drone used for spraying can cover a field with a crop protection product, saving both time and effort compared to using a tractor or walking between rows of crops.
Indian farms are grappling with increasingly complex issues like large-scale fragmented holdings in certain states, acute labor shortages, shifting weather patterns, and the need to conserve water. While drones cannot address these issues, they can undertake the specific tasks associated with them.
Moreover, the government is promoting drones for Indian farming through various subsidies and programs. For instance, under Namo Drone Didi, the government has allocated ₹1,261 crore for the procurement of 15,000 drones for women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for the financial years 2023-24 to 2025-26. Selected self-help groups can get up to 80 percent reimbursement of the drone package cost under the scheme, which covers a maximum of ₹8 lakh, with training.
Furthermore, under the SMAM, the government promotes and facilitates drone demonstrations, ownership, and Custom Hiring Centres by farmers who are unwilling to purchase drones. As per a government update released in February 2026, ICAR, State Agriculture Universities, and KVKs have conducted 40,928 Kisan Drone demonstrations in 40,918 hectares across the country during 2023-24 to 2025-26.
It is best to understand drones by examining their applications.
A drone can provide an aerial view of the farmland, making it easier to inspect the crop for any inconsistencies. A drone can survey the farm faster than a farmer can on foot. The drone can also assist in determining which crops need immediate attention, including signs of uneven growth, insect infestation, disease, nutrient deficiency, water stress, missing patches or planting density. Multispectral and thermal sensors can collect additional data about the crop’s condition. Such precision can enable farmers to focus more on the specific area or plant rather than the whole field.
A crop may exhibit subtle differences from the ground that are visible from the sky. Similarly, the drone can collect the necessary information about the crop’s health, including signs of disease and pests, for a closer inspection and response if needed. It must be noted that drones are unlikely to replace conventional crop inspection methods like those carried out by agricultural experts. However, they might support these practices by offering more precision.
Spraying is undoubtedly the most obvious use of agricultural drones. It can carry crop protection products, fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, seeds and other materials and spray them on the crops or soil with great precision.
As of March 2024, the government has released Standard Operating Procedures on drones for crop pesticide application, which includes permissions, safety, weather, operations and emergency management, among others. An Indian study on direct-seeded rice found that UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)-assisted herbicide application had reduced labor by 50%, application cost by 18%, and overall weed management cost by 13% compared to backpack spraying in the study area.
Before planting, farmers must prepare the land according to the crop’s requirements. A drone can offer insights into various aspects of the farmland, including soil consistency, moisture, drainage, erosion, planting zones, nutrient density and field boundaries. Drones equipped with appropriate sensors can enable farmers to map their land with greater precision.
Overwatering can be a severe problem for farmland, whereas insufficient irrigation can lead to poor yields. Thermal and multispectral scans can help detect water-stressed plants so the farmer can optimise the irrigation system accordingly.
Drones can also sow seeds across the farmland. Such precision can benefit farmers in hilly terrains by avoiding the need for traditional seed drills that may be inappropriate for uneven landscapes. Globally, researchers have already demonstrated the use of agricultural drones for sowing rice and cover crops.
Similar to crop spraying, drones can help apply fertilizers and other nutrients to the farmland with precision. The benefit of drones here is evident, given their ability to reach hard-to-access farmland areas. The government has issued SOPs to utilise drones for spraying soil and crop nutrients.
Weeds, insects and other pests can affect the yield significantly. A drone can help monitor the farmland for such intrusions and utilise a spray drone to isolate the affected area and deal with the problem accordingly. This is one area where the use of drones can become fascinating in precision agriculture. As per the 2026 review on agricultural drones, weed control, pest and disease management, yield estimation and crop stress detection are some of the applications of drones in farming.
A drone can assist farmers and analyse crop yields, which can help them take necessary measures before the harvest season. The drone can collect imagery of the farmland for the required data, including the crop’s growth rate and plant density, among others. The information offers farmers an insight into the potential yield, although it is unlikely to predict the exact produce.
Drones can also help farmers keep track of their livestock. They can offer an aerial view of the farmland to ensure the animals are safe and sound. Researchers at IFPRI have highlighted livestock counting and supervision as some of the data-intensive applications of agricultural drones. In addition, drones can also monitor grazing patterns.
The weather can play a significant role in farming, which can be challenging to monitor at times. A drone can assist a farmer in keeping track of the local weather conditions and supplement other data on the farm, including standing water. Such data can help the farmer determine how the weather has impacted the farmland and the crop.
The use of agri-drones can provide various benefits to farmers, depending on the application, crop, terrain, and model, among others.
A drone can cover farmland in less time, including spraying, without the need for tilling or other extensive field operations.
Drones can reduce the amount of manual effort needed in agriculture, including spraying and crop scouting. An international study on agricultural drones has demonstrated the significance of time-saving features in spraying operations. Similarly, an Indian study found that drone spraying reduced spraying time and manual effort compared to backpack spraying.
A drone can identify the precise area for application, including fertilisers, spraying, and weed management. Although it is hard to quantify, targeted applications can reduce expenses in many cases, depending on the drone’s dosage, crop, weather, and other factors.
Spraying can expose farm workers to chemicals, which can be harmful in some cases. Drone spraying reduces the need for farm workers to be physically present during the application. ICAR and government SOPs on crop protection drones have acknowledged reduced exposure as one of the critical benefits of using drones in farming.
Perhaps one of the most apparent benefits of imaging drones is the amount of information they can collect. Farmers can utilise aerial data for better farming decisions instead of merely evaluating the whole field visually.
The adoption of drones in Indian agriculture is on the rise, including the significant number of drones and their applications.
40,918 hectares: This is the approximate area covered by 40,928 Kisan Drone demonstrations conducted by ICAR, State Agricultural Universities, and KVKs between 2023-24 and 2025-26.
15,000 drones: This is the number of drones that Namo Drone Didi aims to distribute to women’s self-help groups under the Union government’s Rs 1,261-crore allocation for 2023-24 to 2025-26.
38,500+: This is the number of drones registered in India as of February 2026, including 39,890 remote pilots.
7-8 minutes per acre: This is the time taken for an agri-drone demonstration by ICAR in comparison to manual spraying in a specific crop protection scenario.
While such statistics can be fascinating, it is crucial to remember that drones’ effectiveness depends on various factors, including the terrain, crop, weather, equipment, and operators.
The choice between hiring and owning largely depends on the following factors:
Whether the farmer is likely to utilize the drone: It is unproductive to buy or rent a drone if it will not be used regularly. This is perhaps the most decisive factor for farmers when considering buying or hiring a drone. Notably, Custom Hiring Centres and other initiatives ensure farmers who need a drone can utilise it without owning it. It might be more cost-effective for large-scale farms or cooperatives to adopt agri-drones.
With agri-drones becoming part of the larger agricultural ecosystem, Drone Insurance is a critical consideration for farmers. It offers additional financial support to eligible claimants, depending on the plan. Drone Insurance can provide coverage, including but not limited to accidental damage to the drone, third-party property damage, third-party bodily injury or death, damage to specified equipment or cargo, and other applicable coverage.
Commercial Drone Insurance offers third-party liability and comprehensive own-damage coverage for drones in India. Farmers can customise the plan according to the application, including optional covers.
The future of agri-drones is promising as they enable farmers to collect more data with greater precision. Researchers at IFPRI have noted that farming drones are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, especially in the Global South and North. Their 2025 review highlighted the rapid adoption of agricultural drones in China (approximately 250,000), Brazil, Thailand, Turkey, the US, Vietnam, and other countries. India is also home to thousands of agricultural drones.
However, the future of agri-drones is set to be more intelligent as operators continue to explore ways to utilise them effectively. For instance, using a combination of information from aerial imaging, weather forecasts, AI algorithms and automated application can enhance precision farming.
Final Thoughts
The use of drones in agriculture has progressed from being an experimental concept to a viable reality. Farmers can use drones for crop monitoring, spraying, field mapping, soil analysis, animal supervision, irrigation management and more. What makes drones fascinating is their ability to collect information from above and act on it accordingly. India’s agri-drone ecosystem and government support suggest their popularity will only grow in the coming years. However, farmers must ensure that they consider the risks associated with a drone’s operation, including the damage it might cause or the accident that might occur over farmland.
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