By Arjun Naik, CEO, Scandron
As India’s economy continues its upward trajectory, agriculture remains the bedrock of our society, sustaining over 50% of the country’s workforce and feeding a population of approximately 1.4 billion people. However, to meet the demands of this expanding populace, Indian agriculture must evolve by embracing modern technologies, and the Union Budget 2024-25’s landmark allocation of Rs. 500 crore for the Namo Drone Didi scheme—designed to empower women self-help groups (SHGs) by providing them with drones for rental services to farmers which aligns perfectly with our mission at Scandron.
At Scandron, we firmly believe that drones are at the forefront of this agricultural evolution, ushering in a new era of sustainable farming practices, and with the global agricultural drone market projected to reach USD 4.6 billion by 2025, India is poised for significant growth due to its vast arable land and the government’s initiatives promoting precision farming. Our recent achievement of acquiring DGCA certification marks a crucial milestone in our journey to revolutionize Indian agriculture, and by successfully manufacturing drones locally, we are not only leading the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative but are also reducing the nation’s reliance on foreign technology.
Scandron has established itself as a key player in the drone manufacturing market, offering a diverse range of drones to different industries. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of drones including logistics drones, inspection drones, and advanced agri-spray drones. We cater to the agricultural sector with our state-of-the-art spraying drones while maintaining our position as the preferred choice for farmers by securing DGCA Type Certifications. Moreover, by aligning ourselves with government subsidy programs, we further support the integration of our Agri Drones into agricultural operations, making our drones available to a wider range of modern farming needs.
ScanDron powered agriculture, all set to drive Agri Advancements
India’s economic growth is intricately tied to the progress of its agriculture sector, where the fusion of cutting-edge technology with time-honored practices has become an essential evolution rather than a mere option. Under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, initiatives such as the Namo Didi programs and other progressive policies have been crucial in driving the adoption of agri-drones. These policies are not just encouraging innovation; they are paving the way for a transformative shift in how agriculture is practiced, setting the stage for drones to become a widespread tool in the hands of Indian farmers.
Our Agri Drones are engineered to revolutionize agricultural practices by delivering exceptional performance while decreasing overall costs and increasing the efficiency of crop spraying. They can also be equipped with versatile attachments for seed dispersal and broadcasting, and advanced fail-safe mechanisms, thereby making our Agri Drones the ideal solution for modern farming.
Driving domestic: A “Make In India” push
Drones are revolutionizing Indian agriculture, and Scandron is spearheading this transformation. At Scandron, we are prioritizing and initiating domestic production to align with national self-reliance goals, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality drones for Indian farmers and also making advanced technology accessible to all farmers, including small-scale operations. By fostering collaboration between the government and Scandron, and through strategic implementation of financial incentives, training programs, and supportive policies that balance innovation with safety, we are collectively propelling India towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced agricultural sector.
Soaring high to the new heights, India’s Drone industry is all set to touch skies
India is headed to becoming a drone manufacturing hub by 2030, and Scandron is all aligned to be a part of this journey. With predictions that the Indian drone market will reach Rs 5,000 crore by 2026, it is evident that drones will be crucial to the nation’s technological and infrastructural advancements. However, what we see is not just growth but a radical transformation, propelled by industry leaders and encouraging government initiatives that go beyond the traditional uses of drones and explore uncharted territory that has the potential to completely redefine a number of industries.
This is not a passing fad; predictions point to strong industry growth well into 2029. The commercial use of drones, in particular, is predicted to grow at an unprecedented rate of 44.2% CAGR between 2024 and 2029 thanks to large investments in active R&D.
With the unwavering support of the Indian government and the dedication of our team, Scandron is poised to lead the way in the Indian drone industry. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of innovation and unlock the full potential of drone technology for the benefit of our nation.