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Affordable drones and government subsidies are changing how India’s farmers manage crops, irrigation, and pesticide use.
Drone technology is quickly changing the face of agriculture, providing farmers with new tools to see their land. Mohan Yadav, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, stated that "Drones are a symbol of new India's innovation... Drones are supporting farmers in agricultural activities, making pesticide spraying easier and more efficient” at the "Drone Technology Workshop and Expo 2025" in Bhopal on October 31.
Agricultural robotic drones with minimal setup can be bought for approximately ₹10,000. Entry-level drones are generally not highly efficient or capable of covering a large area. Drones that cost around ₹2.5 lakh will have basic spraying and mapping capabilities, while heavier-duty advanced drones with greater payload capacities, longer flight times, and improved accuracy, may cost more than ₹15 lakh.
High-end models like the DJI Agras T50 are usually designed for a payload capacity to spray of around 30 to 50 liters (30-50 kg) of liquid. The cost will depend on, among other things, battery life, payload capacity, GPS accuracy, automation features, and available government assistance through agricultural invention programs. Some of these government programs include the government's Namo Drone Difi Yojana and The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), which can provide financial assistance up to 40% and beyond, based on many eligibility factors.
As of mid-2025, India has approximately 7,000 agricultural drones in total with roughly 4 drones for every 25,000 acres of cropland. In contrast, the global leader in deployment of agricultural drones, China, has an estimated 251,000 agricultural drones in use, and the difference serves as a reminder of the value of utilization of aviation technology as it applies to agriculture.
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