Equipped with multispectral cameras, our drone allows for detailed crop health monitoring, says IoTechWorld

India is making significant strides in using technology to determine climate-specific cropping patterns. To meet the growing requirement, IoTechWorld Avigation, a Gurgaon-based organisation, is contributing to this advancement towards popularising drone technology.

"Our AGRIBOT MX drone, equipped with multispectral cameras, allows for detailed crop health monitoring. This technology enables farmers to make informed decisions about which crops are best suited for specific climates and soil types. We are working with numerous agricultural research institutes across India,” says Deepak Bhardwaj, Co-Founder and Director, IoTechWorld Avigation.

The organisation is working with several premier institutes including Kerala Agriculture University, Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, and many ICAR institutes. In an exclusive interview to Bizz Buzz, he said, "Our drones' ability to cover large areas quickly and their advanced imaging capabilities make them invaluable tools for assessing soil and weather conditions, thus enabling more precise recommendations for crop selection and management based on climate and soil conditions."

How are advanced technologies bringing about changes in crop management to ensure better yields in India?

Advanced technologies are significantly transforming crop management in India, ensuring better yields and more sustainable farming practices. At IoTechWorld, we are at the forefront of this transformation with our AGRIBOT MX drone, which is designed to excel in spraying operations. Covering up to 6 acres/hour, it offers precision and efficiency that traditional methods simply can’t match.

Our AGRIBOT MX features Radar-based ADAS (Automated Drone Assistance System) for collision avoidance and terrain following, which is particularly useful in varied landscapes. It is equipped with a 2MP FPV camera for live video streaming and recording, allowing real-time monitoring of crop conditions. This enables farmers to optimise inputs, reduce waste, and increase yields, leading to more efficient and productive farming operations.

Significantly, our AGRINET app connects service providers and farmers, facilitating easier access to drone services for spraying, broadcasting, and crop health monitoring. This integration of AI and IoT in agriculture is revolutionising farm management, enabling precise interventions and reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.

What is the USP of IoTechWorld Avigation?

At IoTechWorld, our USP is our unwavering commitment to revolutionising Indian agriculture through advanced drone technology. We have developed our AGRIBOT MX drone with a deep understanding of Indian farmers' needs. The drone comes with Radar-based ADAS and terrain-following capabilities, making it exceptionally effective for tasks like crop spraying and monitoring across India's diverse landscapes. We have also prioritised accessibility - our unique bike and backpack models ensure that even farmers in the most remote areas can easily transport and use our drones.

We are proudly Made in India, supporting local manufacturing while maintaining high standards of quality and innovation. We believe in providing a complete solution, not just a product, which is why we offer a comprehensive ecosystem, which includes our AGRINET app for service connectivity, pilot training, and pan-India support.

Can you please tell us about your growth story, your revenue growth and the projections for the next five years?

Since our inception in 2017, we have focused on revolutionising agriculture with advanced drone technology. We have achieved significant milestones, including being the first company in India to receive a certificate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for our Krishi Drone - AGRIBOT. Our revenue has seen significant growth with a turnover of approximately Rs 45 crore last fiscal year, and we expect to multiply as we scale up our operations. We sold around 500 drones last year and aim to increase this to 3,000 in the current fiscal year, driven by rising demand from agrochemical firms and agricultural universities.

Looking ahead, we are optimistic about our growth trajectory over the next five years. We plan to expand our market presence not only within India but also internationally. Our strategic goals include increasing our manufacturing capacity, enhancing our product line, and leveraging government initiatives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to support our expansion. We are also committed to fostering local entrepreneurship by training 2,000 agri-entrepreneurs to provide drone services to farmers. This initiative is part of our broader strategy to create a sustainable ecosystem around drone technology in agriculture, ultimately contributing to improved productivity and economic growth in the sector.

Please explain how you are successfully using technology and innovation in using drones.

At IoTechWorld, we have placed technology and innovation at the heart of our agricultural drone solutions. Our flagship AGRIBOT MX is a testament to this commitment. We have equipped it with advanced sensors, including Radar-based ADAS for object detection and collision avoidance, as well as terrain following capabilities. This ensures our drones can operate safely and efficiently across India's varied landscapes.

We understand the importance of real-time information in agriculture, which is why we have integrated a high-quality 2MP FPV camera for live video streaming and recording. This allows farmers to monitor their crops in real-time, making informed decisions on the spot. Precision is key in modern farming, and our AGRIBOT MX delivers on this front. With a 10L tank capacity and a spray speed of up to 3.5 LPM per nozzle, it offers precise application of fertilizers and pesticides over a 4-meter spray width. We have also optimised flight time -- up to 23 minutes with a full payload -- allowing coverage of up to 6 acres per hour.

This efficiency is game-changing for many farmers. We have incorporated smart features like battery failsafe and autonomous mission resumption to ensure reliable operation.

At IoTechWorld, we are addressing crop management issues in India through our innovative drone technology. Our AGRIBOT MX drone is a game-changer for precision agriculture, allowing farmers to make informed decisions and optimise resource use. This results in increased crop yields and reduced environmental impact. Our drones can cover up to 6 acres per hour, enabling efficient crop monitoring and management.

The AGRIBOT MX isn't just a one-trick pony – it can be used for field mapping, spraying, broadcasting, and crop health monitoring, providing a versatile solution for farmers. As firm supporters of the Make in India initiative, we manufacture nearly all drone components domestically. This not only contributes to the local economy but also ensures high-quality products. We are also creating job opportunities by establishing remote pilot training organisations across India. Our AGRINET app is another way we are fostering growth – it connects service providers and farmers, creating a sustainable ecosystem around drone technology in agriculture. Through these efforts, we are playing our part in transforming Indian agriculture and supporting the country's technological advancement and self-reliance.

Do you have plans to invest in local talent and infrastructure to support its growth and ensure seamless integration of its technology in the southern market mainly Andhra Pradesh and Telangana?

At IoTechWorld, we are always exploring opportunities to expand our reach and impact across India, including in key agricultural states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The southern market is certainly of great interest to us, given its rich agricultural heritage and forward-thinking approach to farming technologies. We are constantly evaluating how best to serve farmers across different regions of India. Our approach has always been to tailor our solutions to local needs and conditions. This means that when we expand into new areas, we ensure that our technology integrates seamlessly with local farming practices and addresses region-specific challenges.

We are always open to conversations with local stakeholders, be it agricultural universities, farmer cooperatives, or government bodies. These dialogues help us understand how we can best serve each region's specific needs. While I can't give you a specific timeline for expansion into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, I can assure you that the southern market remains an area of keen interest for IoTechWorld's future growth plans.

In what ways do IoTechWorld Avigation drones help professionals stand out digitally and technically in India's competitive business landscape?

Our drones at IoTechWorld Avigation are designed to give professionals a real edge in India's competitive agricultural sector. The AGRIBOT MX is a complete precision agriculture solution. With features like Radar-based ADAS and terrain following, professionals using our drones are at the cutting edge of agricultural technology. The real-time analytics and insights from our drones enable professionals to implement precision agriculture techniques that significantly enhance crop yields and improve resource efficiency. And because our drones can handle multiple tasks – spraying, broadcasting, crop monitoring – professionals can offer a comprehensive range of services to their clients.

What are the company's business scenarios and projections on growth in India vis-a-vis the rest of the world in the agriculture and drone segment industries?

At IoTechWorld Avigation, we are optimistic about the growth prospects in both the Indian and global agricultural drone markets. In India, we anticipate substantial expansion over the next five years, driven by increasing adoption of precision agriculture and supportive government policies like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. This initiative is crucial in fostering domestic manufacturing and positioning India as a leader in drone technology by 2030.

Globally, the agricultural drone market is also set for impressive growth, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.5 per cent from 2024 to 2032, reaching an estimated $23.78 billion by 2032. This growth is fueled by the rising demand for precision farming techniques, technological advancements, and supportive government frameworks worldwide.

Key trends shaping this landscape include the integration of advanced sensors and imaging technologies in drones, which provide invaluable real-time data for crop monitoring and management. These innovations enable farmers to optimise resource use, increase yields, and minimise environmental impact. In India, the focus on precision farming and sustainable practices is particularly important, given the challenges of fragmented land holdings and resource constraints.