Government Policies for Agriculture Drone are playing a key role as India’s agricultural sector, the backbone of the economy, undergoes a massive digital transformation. At the center of this revolution are agricultural drones, also called Kisan Drones, which are helping farmers modernize farming practices. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer precision spraying, crop monitoring, soil health analysis, and yield assessment—all while saving time, labor, and input costs.
Recognizing the potential of drones in agriculture, the Government of India (GoI) has rolled out progressive policies, subsidies, and training programs to make drones accessible to farmers across the country. In 2025, multiple schemes such as the Kisan Drone Scheme, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), NAMO Drone Didi Yojana, and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) are actively supporting farmers, women entrepreneurs, and cooperatives.
Why Drones Are the Future of Indian Agriculture
Before diving into subsidies and policies, it’s essential to understand why agricultural drones have become a necessity:
Precision Spraying: Drones spray fertilizers and pesticides with pinpoint accuracy, reducing wastage and preventing excessive chemical use.
Labor Shortage Solution: With rural labor migration increasing, drones help reduce dependence on manual farm workers.
Crop Monitoring: Multispectral sensors detect pest attacks, water stress, and nutrient deficiencies early.
Cost Efficiency: Studies show drones can cut pesticide use by 20–50% and reduce operational time by up to 90%.
Higher Yields: Real-time data-driven farming increases crop productivity by 15–25%.
Eco-Friendly: Targeted spraying reduces groundwater contamination and promotes sustainable agriculture.
These benefits make drones indispensable, and Farmer Drone Subsidy schemes ensure affordability for small and marginal farmers.
Government Initiatives Promoting Agri-Drone Adoption in 2025
The Government of India has launched a series of policy frameworks and schemes to accelerate drone adoption in agriculture:
1. Drone Rules, 2021 (Simplified Framework)
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) introduced the Drone Rules, 2021, which:
Reduced compliance requirements for drone usage.
Abolished multiple approvals, making it easier for farmers to operate drones.
Introduced the Digital Sky Platform for easy registration, permission, and tracking of drones.
Allowed agricultural drones for tasks like spraying, monitoring, and land surveys.
This deregulation laid the foundation for drones becoming mainstream in Indian agriculture.
2. Kisan Drone Scheme (2022–Ongoing)
Launched by PM Narendra Modi in February 2022, the Kisan Drone Scheme was India’s first major step toward promoting drones in farming.
Focus Areas: Crop assessment, pesticide spraying, and digitization of land records.
Target: Establishing 1,500+ Kisan Drone Community Health Centres (CHCs) nationwide.
Impact so far: More than 240 subsidized drones distributed to FPOs, rural entrepreneurs, and agricultural graduates.
This scheme was the first step toward large-scale drone adoption and subsidy-based models.
3. NAMO Drone Didi Yojana (2023–2026)
Approved in 2023 with a massive budget of ₹1,261 crore, this scheme is India’s most ambitious drone initiative, focusing on women empowerment.
Beneficiaries: 15,000 Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across India.
Subsidy Support: 80% subsidy on drone purchase (up to ₹8 lakh per drone).
Free Training: Women get certified as drone pilots/operators.
Income Potential: Each SHG can earn ₹60,000–₹1,00,000 annually by renting drones to local farmers.
👉 Example: In Punjab, a women’s SHG procured a DGCA-approved drone for just ₹2 lakh (after subsidy) and now earns ₹80,000 per year by providing spraying services.
4. Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
This is one of the largest subsidy frameworks for drones in India. It provides financial aid to:
Agricultural Universities, ICAR Institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): 100% subsidy up to ₹10 lakh per drone for demonstrations.
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs): 40% subsidy (₹4 lakh per drone).
Agricultural Graduates (CHC operators): 50% subsidy (₹5 lakh per drone).
Individual Farmers (SC/ST, Women, NE States): 50% subsidy (₹5 lakh per drone).
Other Farmers: 40% subsidy (₹4 lakh per drone).
This scheme ensures that even small farmers can access drones either directly or through CHCs.
5. Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Drones
With a budget of ₹120 crore, the PLI scheme supports domestic drone manufacturers making high-quality, affordable drones available for farmers.
6. ICAR Initiatives for Drone Research & Training
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) plays a major role in promoting drone education and adoption:
2021: Launched an AI-and-drone-focused network program.
2024: ICAR-CRIDA conducted training on drone spraying for dryland agriculture.
Ongoing: Drones are being tested for precision irrigation, crop disease detection, and smart spraying.
7. State-Specific Subsidy Programs
In addition to central subsidies, states are rolling out their own support:
Maharashtra: Extra subsidy of ₹1 lakh for FPOs purchasing drones.
Tamil Nadu: 100% free drone training for organic farmers.
Uttar Pradesh & Telangana: Running pilot projects to integrate drones in sugarcane and rice fields.
7. State-Specific Subsidy Programs
In addition to central subsidies, states are rolling out their own support:
Maharashtra: Extra subsidy of ₹1 lakh for FPOs purchasing drones.
Tamil Nadu: 100% free drone training for organic farmers.
Uttar Pradesh & Telangana: Running pilot projects to integrate drones in sugarcane and rice fields.
Drone Certification & Compliance in India (2025)
The Government of India has made it mandatory for farmers and drone operators to comply with the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) regulations to ensure safe, legal, and efficient use of agriculture drones in India. These compliance measures are directly tied to eligibility for government subsidies on drones and the smooth adoption of drone technology in farming.
1. DGCA Certification for Agriculture Drones
Only DGCA-approved agriculture drones are eligible for government subsidies and legal operations. Farmers must purchase drones that are listed on the Digital Sky platform, which ensures the equipment meets safety, reliability, and performance standards.
2. Unique Identification Number (UIN) Registration
Every drone must be registered with the DGCA and assigned a Unique Identification Number (UIN) via the Digital Sky Platform. This ensures that drones can be tracked, monitored, and legally operated for farming applications such as drone spraying in agriculture.
3. Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) – Training Requirement
Farmers and operators must undergo training at a DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO). After completion, they receive a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC), which is mandatory for legally flying drones for agriculture spraying, seeding, or mapping.
4. Drone Operation Rules for Agriculture
To comply with DGCA guidelines, farmers must follow these key drone operation rules:
Fly within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) – ensuring the operator always sees the drone during operations.
Stay below 400 feet altitude – drones cannot fly beyond the prescribed height for safety.
Avoid restricted and no-fly zones – such as airports, military zones, and high-security areas.
Use NPNT (No Permission No Take-off) feature – ensuring every drone flight is logged and approved via Digital Sky.
5. Training & Certification Support from Drone Companies
Companies not only sell DGCA-approved drones but also provide pilot training, compliance support, and certification assistance. This makes it easier for farmers to adopt agriculture spraying drones without worrying about paperwork or DGCA approvals.
Detailed Subsidy Schemes for Agriculture Drones
Here’s a breakdown of Farmer Drone Subsidy schemes in 2025:
| Beneficiary | Subsidy % | Max Limit | Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICAR Institutes, KVKs, Universities | 100% | ₹10 lakh | SMAM |
| FPOs, CHCs, SHGs | 40–75% | ₹7.5 lakh | SMAM/NAMO Drone Didi |
| Agricultural Graduates (CHCs) | 50% | ₹5 lakh | SMAM |
| Individual Farmers (SC/ST/Women/NE) | 50% | ₹5 lakh | SMAM |
| Other Farmers | 40% | ₹4 lakh | SMAM |
| Women SHGs | 80% | ₹8 lakh | NAMO Drone Didi |
| Agri-Tech Startups | Loan + 3% interest subsidy | ₹2 crore | AIF |
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for Farmer Drone Subsidy
Visit Official Portal: agrimachinery.nic.in (for SMAM) or respective state portals.
Register: Select beneficiary type (Farmer/FPO/SHG/CHC).
Upload Documents:
Aadhaar & PAN
Landholding proof
Bank details (DBT-enabled)
Quotation from DGCA-approved drone seller
Caste/Women/SC/ST certificate (if applicable)
Submit Application: Receive Application ID for tracking.
Verification: Agriculture officers verify land and documents.
Approval: Notification via SMS/email.
Drone Purchase: Buy from empaneled vendor.
Final Verification: Officer inspects drone physically.
Subsidy Disbursement: Subsidy credited via DBT to farmer’s bank account.
👉 For NAMO Drone Didi Scheme, SHGs apply via the Ministry of Rural Development or state nodal agencies.
Benefits of Drone Subsidy for Farmers in India (2025)
The Government of India’s agriculture drone subsidy schemes under the SMAM (Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization) and other state-level initiatives are not just about financial assistance — they are designed to transform farming practices at the ground level. By making drones more accessible, subsidies are helping farmers adopt precision agriculture technology that was once too expensive. Below are the major benefits explained in detail:
1. Reduced Costs – Affordable Access to Agri Drones
Traditionally, agriculture drones cost between ₹3.5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, making them unaffordable for small and marginal farmers.
With subsidies ranging from 40% to 100%, farmers, cooperatives, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can now buy drones at a fraction of the price.
Example: A drone costing ₹5 lakh can be purchased for just ₹2–3 lakh with subsidy.
Some government schemes even provide free drones (100% subsidy) to select Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR institutes, and agriculture universities for demonstration.
2. Labor Savings – Faster Spraying, Less Effort
Manual spraying is labor-intensive and slow. On average, a worker sprays 1 acre/day with a backpack sprayer, while a drone can spray 25–30 acres/day.
- This reduces dependence on agricultural labor, which is scarce and costly during peak seasons.
- Farmers can save 50–60% on labor costs, making drone spraying an efficient option during critical crop stages.
3. Higher Productivity – Increased Yield & Crop Health
Agriculture drones are equipped with AI, sensors, and GPS technology, ensuring precision spraying of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
- Optimized spraying prevents overuse, protecting crops from chemical damage.
- Real-time aerial monitoring helps farmers detect pest attacks, nutrient deficiencies, and irrigation issues earlier.
- This leads to a 15–25% increase in yield, boosting farmer income significantly.
4. Extra Income for Farmers & SHGs – Drone Rental Model
Subsidized drones also open new income opportunities. Farmers and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) can rent out drones to nearby villages.
- Drone service providers earn ₹500–₹700 per acre for spraying.
- Covering 100 acres/month, an SHG or FPO can make ₹60,000 – ₹1 lakh per month.
- This creates opportunities for rural entrepreneurship while making advanced technology accessible to small farmers.
5. Sustainability – Eco-Friendly Farming
Agriculture drones contribute to climate-smart and sustainable farming practices:
- Reduce pesticide use by 20–30%, lowering soil and water contamination.
- Minimize fertilizer wastage through targeted spraying.
- Lower carbon footprint compared to manual or tractor-based spraying.
In the long run, drone adoption leads to improved soil fertility, healthier crops, and safer food production.
6. Improved Safety for Farmers
Traditional spraying exposes farmers to toxic chemicals, often leading to health risks like skin burns, respiratory problems, and poisoning.
With drones:
- Farmers operate remotely, avoiding direct contact with harmful chemicals.
- This improves health safety and reduces medical expenses.
7. Inclusive Growth – Support for Small & Marginal Farmers
The government’s drone subsidy scheme 2025 prioritizes:
- Small and marginal farmers
- Women farmers
- Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities
- Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs)
This ensures inclusive access to precision agriculture and reduces the technology gap between large and small farmers.
Conclusion
The Government of India’s drone subsidy scheme is a golden opportunity for farmers to modernize agriculture and boost productivity. Bharat Skytech, India’s only dedicated agriculture drone components store, plays a vital role in this transformation by supplying authentic motors, propellers, batteries, flight controllers, FPV cameras, and spraying systems. With subsidy support and Bharat Skytech’s reliable components, farmers can access cost-effective, high-performance drone solutions that make farming more efficient, profitable, and sustainable.
