Photo Credit: thebetterindia.com
In a remarkable story of innovation, two aeronautical engineers from Uttar Pradesh have become unlikely heroes in India’s agriculture sector. Amandeep Panwar and Rishabh Choudhary, both graduates from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, are using drone technology to empower thousands of Indian farmers — transforming age-old farming practices with precision and sustainability.
From Classrooms to Croplands
The idea took root in the fields of Barabanki, where the duo were testing drones. What began as an academic experiment soon turned into a life-changing mission. Farmers approached them with concerns about pests, overuse of chemicals, and the rising costs of agriculture. That’s when Amandeep and Rishabh had their “eureka” moment: why not use drones to monitor crops and reduce farmer dependency on guesswork?
What followed was the launch of their startup, focused entirely on drone-based precision agriculture — offering farmers data-driven insights to protect crops, manage nutrients, and prevent losses.
How the Drone Solution Works
- Real-Time Crop Monitoring: Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras fly over farmlands to assess plant health.
- Pest & Disease Detection: Early warning signals help farmers prevent large-scale infestations.
- Localized Spraying: Instead of spraying entire fields, drones target only affected areas — saving time, water, and pesticides.
- Easy Communication: Reports are shared with farmers in local languages via WhatsApp, ensuring accessibility and usability.
This technology is especially useful for small and marginal farmers, who often lack access to expensive agritech tools.
Reaching Over 50,000 Farmers and Counting
To date, their initiative has benefited over 50,000 farmers across India, reducing input costs, improving yields, and encouraging more sustainable agricultural practices. States like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra are witnessing a quiet tech revolution — led not by multinational corporations, but by homegrown innovators.
Drone Didis: A Wider Impact
This grassroots tech movement aligns with national initiatives like the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, where rural women are trained to operate agricultural drones. Women in Varanasi, Gujarat, and other states are now playing a central role in modern farming — piloting drones, collecting data, and redefining gender roles in agriculture.
“Technology is not just for the privileged. Our goal is to make drones as common in farms as tractors,” says Amandeep Panwar.
Why This Matters: The Future of Indian Agriculture
India is home to over 100 million farmers, yet a significant portion of them still rely on outdated, inefficient methods. With challenges like climate change, unpredictable monsoons, and soil degradation, it is now critical to integrate modern technology into farming.
