Pests, diseases, and erratic weather cause 33% of India’s crop losses. Smallholder farmers, who make up 86% of the farming population, often lack access to timely data and tools to respond effectively. Manual scouting is slow and reactive, resulting in delayed decisions and inefficient use of resources. 

AI-powered drones provide a faster and smarter solution. By combining aerial imaging and real-time AI analysis, they detect crop issues early and spray inputs precisely. 

This blog examines how drones in precision agriculture, utilising artificial intelligence, are helping Indian farmers reduce costs, increase yields, and revolutionise crop management at scale.

Understanding AI-Powered Drones in Precision Agriculture

AI-powered drones offer real-time field insights and precision input delivery. They scan crops, detect issues early, and guide zone-specific spraying, all in a single, automated flight. 

Unlike traditional tools, they operate with speed, accuracy, and minimal human intervention, allowing farmers to optimise resources, improve yield, and make data-driven decisions in real time.

For Indian farmers managing vast and varied plots, this can result in delayed action, wasted inputs, and reduced yields.

AI-powered drones offer a smarter solution. These drones combine unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with artificial intelligence, smart sensors, and real-time data processing. This setup enables faster, more precise, and highly efficient farm interventions.

How AI-Powered Drones Operate in Precision Agriculture?

AI-powered drones are equipped with a tightly integrated suite of hardware and software systems. Together, these systems collect, process, and act on farm data, all within a single flight.

Here’s how this process works step by step:

1. Multi-Sensor Aerial Data Collection

Each drone is fitted with advanced imaging technologies, including:

• Multispectral cameras to assess plant chlorophyll levels and detect early-stage stress.

• Thermal cameras to spot irrigation problems or heat stress.

• RGB cameras for visual field assessments and detailed surface imagery.

• Hyperspectral sensors (in some models) to identify specific nutrient deficiencies or fungal infections.

These sensors capture high-resolution images while flying over fields, building a rich data profile of the crop canopy, soil, and environmental conditions.

Leher’s drones are equipped with multispectral and RGB cameras as standard, ensuring Indian farmers receive precise, real-time crop insights regardless of terrain or crop type. 

With drones capable of flying up to 50 acres a day and operating across fragmented plots, Leher brings this advanced imaging directly to farms through an accessible, app-based service model.

2. Real-Time Analysis Using Onboard AI

The drone’s onboard processors use AI and edge computing to analyse the captured data during the flight itself. Machine learning models trained on thousands of plant images detect early signs of:

• Pest or disease outbreaks,

• Nutrient deficiencies,

• Water stress,

• Uneven growth patterns.

This immediate, in-flight diagnosis shortens response time and reduces reliance on external labs or post-processing delays.

Leher drones come pre-loaded with smart algorithms that adapt to India’s diverse crop and climate patterns. Farmers get in-flight analysis without needing internet connectivity, ensuring reliable insights even in remote areas.

3. Precision Mapping and Geofenced Treatment

AI systems convert this data into actionable insights using GPS-tagged mapping. Drones generate high-accuracy zonal maps that tell farmers:

• Which areas are under stress?

• How do input levels vary across the field?

• What actions are required, and where?

This mapping enables site-specific treatment, replacing blanket spraying with targeted interventions that reduce chemical usage, lower costs, and protect surrounding biodiversity.

Leher’s Spray Management System transforms this zonal data into field-specific spray plans. The drone’s flight path and application pattern are auto-optimised, ensuring coverage accuracy and minimal overlap, especially useful for India’s irregular farm plots.

4. Automated Input Application

Spray-equipped drones can act on AI instructions without farmer intervention. Based on the zonal map:

• The drone identifies affected patches,

• Adjusts its nozzle flow based on crop density,

• Sprays only the required input, whether it’s pesticide, fertiliser, or growth regulator.

For instance, a fungal outbreak in a paddy field might only affect 5% of the area. Instead of treating the entire field, the drone targets that specific 5% area, saving both time and chemicals.

Leher drones, equipped with fogger nozzles and advanced pressure control, are precisely fine-tuned for such applications. Farmers can cover up to 50 acres per day with ultra-low volume spraying, which reduces drift and water use.

5. Feedback Loops for Continuous Learning

Every flight captures fresh performance data: how crops responded, where stress reappeared, and how effective the input was. 

This information refines the drone’s future predictions, making each mission smarter than the last.

Leher’s backend integrates this data into a learning loop, connecting drone logs, spray history, and yield outcomes into a central dashboard. Farmers can track their fields’ improvement over time, making precision farming measurable and repeatable.

Example in Practice: Dynamic Spray Adjustment by Leher Drones

Leher drones autonomously vary spray rates across the field in real time. If a section of a cotton field is denser, the drone increases flow. For lighter patches, it reduces output instantly, ensuring inputs are used where they matter most.

This dynamic adjustment reduces input waste, protects the surrounding ecology, and delivers measurable savings.

In tea plantations, for example, Leher’s drones have cut residue levels by 75% per kg of tea and halve per-hectare spraying costs while completing 15+ hectares/day with uniform, high-coverage sprays.

Why This Matters for Indian Agriculture?

For India’s 146 million farmland holdings, many of which are under 2 hectares, AI-powered drones bring unprecedented control and visibility. Compared to traditional approaches:

• Manual scouting is slow and subjective,

• Satellite imagery is affected by weather,

• Blanket spraying leads to waste and overexposure.

Drones in precision agriculture, utilising artificial intelligence, solve all three problems simultaneously. 

They enable faster decisions, more accurate interventions, and measurable outcomes, transforming how farmers approach crop management.

Also Read: Precision Agriculture Definition: Benefits, Techniques

Key Benefits of Using Drones in Precision Agriculture with AI

For Indian farmers navigating rising input costs, erratic weather, and shrinking labour availability, AI-powered drones offer practical, field-tested solutions. These drones elevate decision-making with data-backed accuracy. 

Leher’s field-tested drone technology backs every benefit with performance data from over 35,000+ acres sprayed across India.

Below are the core advantages of using drones in precision agriculture, using artificial intelligence, supported by real-world outcomes and contextual relevance:

1. Precise Input Application Reduces Waste

Conventional spraying methods treat entire fields uniformly. This leads to excess chemical use, uneven results, and wasted resources. Leher drones change that by enabling zone-specific treatment.

AI drones change that by delivering zone-specific spraying.

• Up to 30% reduction in pesticide use by avoiding overapplication in healthy areas

• Lower risk of soil and water contamination, improving long-term farm sustainability

• Accurate flow control via fogger nozzles and AI-driven spray logic

Leher’s drones dynamically adjust spray volume based on real-time crop density, ensuring every drop counts.

2. Early Detection of Crop Stress Saves Yield

Indian farms lose nearly 20 - 40% of crops to pests and disease each year. Catching these threats early is key to minimising losses.

Drones equipped with AI can:

• Identify signs of infection or pest infestation before symptoms are visible to the human eye.

• Alert farmers instantly, enabling faster treatment.

• Support preventive spraying to reduce reliance on reactive, high-dosage methods.

Leher drones identify stress zones mid-flight, and the Spray Management System sends mapped insights to farmers post-mission.

3. Significant Time and Labour Savings

Manual fieldwork can be slow, repetitive, and heavily reliant on skilled labour, which is becoming increasingly scarce in rural India.

AI-powered drones streamline these operations:

• One Leher drone covers up to 50 acres per day.

• It also completes spraying 1 acre in under 10 minutes.

• It also reduces dependency on scarce rural labour.

In rubber plantations, a single drone replaces the work of 10 labourers while maintaining spray uniformity.

4. Higher Yield Through Timely, Localised Action

Input timing and placement affect yield more than quantity. With AI, drones fine-tune these factors for better results.

Farmers benefit from:

• Healthier crops with balanced nutrition and protection.

• Uniform growth across the field, improving harvest quality

• Significant yield gains because of improved overall crop performance.

Leher’s zonal maps guide spraying to exactly where action is needed, optimising every growth stage.

5. Lower Input Costs per Acre

AI drones help reduce total input usage without sacrificing performance. This leads to direct cost savings:

• Avoid unnecessary fertiliser or pesticide usage, based on crop stress mapping.

• Customise spray mixes for each section of the field, avoiding blanket application.

• Maximise return on investment, even in fragmented farm plots common in India.

With real-time telemetry and dosage control, Leher drones ensure maximum return per input unit.

6. Safer Working Conditions for Spray Operators

Traditional spraying often exposes workers to harmful chemicals. Drone spraying reduces this risk significantly:

• No direct contact with sprayed chemicals during application. 

• Leher drones are operated remotely or via an app.

• Fewer cases of chemical inhalation or skin exposure improve health outcomes.

This is especially valuable for older farmers and women, who often face greater vulnerability during fieldwork.

7. Efficient Water Use in Spray Operations

India is facing growing water scarcity, particularly in dryland farming regions. AI-enabled drones use ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying techniques to reduce water consumption.

Benefits include:

• Precise droplet control, reducing runoff and evaporation losses.

• Less water is required per spray, compared to traditional boom sprayers.

• Better suited for dry states like Rajasthan and Telangana, where water use must be optimised.

Leher drones use just enough water per hectare, combining input efficiency with sustainable irrigation.

Want to spray faster, safer, and smarter with Leher? 

Download the Leher App on Google Play or Apple Store to book a drone, track operations, or become a certified drone entrepreneur.

Challenges in Adoption and How the Industry is Solving Them

AI-powered drones bring significant benefits to Indian agriculture, but adoption still faces practical challenges. These are rooted in economic, educational, regulatory, and environmental realities. However, each barrier has a grounded, tech-enabled path forward.

1. High Upfront Costs for Farmers

Small and marginal farmers often cannot afford to buy or maintain AI-enabled drones.

How Leher solves it:

• Offers drone spraying as a service, no ownership needed.

• Farmers pay per acre, ensuring cost-effective access.

• Powered by 2,200+ trained drone entrepreneurs operating across India.

• Supported by a hybrid model combining company-owned drones with local operators.

This asset-light approach enables farmers to benefit from drone technology without incurring large investments.

2. Limited Familiarity with Drone and AI Tools

Digital tools can feel overwhelming to farmers new to sensors, apps, or AI dashboards.

How Leher solves it:

• User-friendly mobile app available in regional languages with icon-based navigation.

• Centralised calling and WhatsApp flows simplify booking and support.

• Drone partners act as on-field educators, guiding farmers with every flight.

• Regular advisory support ensures farmers understand insights and usage.

This human-plus-digital interface builds trust and tech confidence in underserved areas.

3. Drone Regulations and Permissions

Flying drones in rural airspace requires navigating strict rules under the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation).

How Leher solves it:

• Uses DGCA-approved drones with built-in flight path safety systems.

• Handles backend permit management and scheduling through automated tools.

• Helps drone partners stay compliant with fail-safes, such as return-to-home and low-battery alerts.

By integrating compliance into its operating model, Leher ensures that drone operations are safe and hassle-free.

4. Irregular and Fragmented Land Plots

India’s agricultural plots are often small and uneven, making fixed drone routes ineffective.

How Leher solves it:

• Each flight is mapped using GPS-tagged boundaries, customised for fragmented plots.

• AI models enable variable-rate application, adjusting spray flow by plant density.

• Drone logs and area maps are saved to ensure repeatable and accurate missions.

This ensures consistent results, even on uneven or scattered farm plots.

5. Weather Sensitivity of Drone Operations

Rain, wind, or cloudy skies can affect drone flights and data quality.

How Leher solves it:

• Integrates hyperlocal weather data to schedule flights with minimal risk.

• AI algorithms detect flight safety thresholds in real time.

• During monsoon or extreme heat, the app enables rescheduling with ease to prevent waste.

With weather-aware planning, farmers don’t have to guess optimal spray times.

These challenges are real, but they are being systematically solved through innovation, partnerships, and user-first design. 

With Leher, drone spraying is no longer a futuristic concept. It’s an accessible, field-ready service trusted by 130+ corporates and thousands of farmers.

Also Read: New Technology in Agriculture: Top Trends and Benefits

What’s Next for AI Drones in Indian Agriculture?

AI-powered drones in Indian agriculture are moving toward hyper-localisation. Future models will be trained on regional crops, soil types, and pest data, resulting in more precise and timely recommendations.

We will also see better ease of use. Drones will accept voice commands in regional languages, and multiple drones will fly in coordinated fleets for faster coverage and greater efficiency.

As adoption grows, drone-linked insurance, credit, and integration with government schemes will become more common. These advances will make precision farming smarter, safer, and more inclusive for every Indian farmer.

Why Choose Leher for Drone-Based Precision Spraying?

Leher is more than a drone service. It's the operating system powering India’s precision input revolution. 

With 35,000+ acres sprayed and 2,200+ drone entrepreneurs onboarded, we’re solving real farmer problems at scale.

What Makes Leher Stand Out?

Together, these advantages position Leher as the most accessible, efficient, and farmer-focused drone spraying platform in India.

Key Benefits for Farmers

• Book in Minutes: Easy scheduling via app, call, or WhatsApp, available in local languages.

• Precise & Efficient Sprays: Autonomous drones apply inputs only where needed using GPS and AI.

• Real-Time Reports: Get digital spray summaries, chemical traceability, and visual dashboards.

• Field-Proven Performance: From tea to rubber, Leher drones have reduced residue by up to 75% and replaced 10+ manual workers per mission.

Supporting an Inclusive Agri Ecosystem

Leher brings together:

• Farmers – One-stop platform for drone spraying

• Drone Entrepreneurs – Tools, training, and payments for sustainable income

• Input Companies – Seamless DSP management with real-time application data

• Drone Manufacturers – Wider market access and performance feedback loops

For farmers, Leher means smarter spraying without the hassle. For rural entrepreneurs, it’s a pathway to sustainable income. For India, Leher represents a future where data, inclusive and resilient, drives the agriculture sector.

Ready to upgrade how you farm or build your drone business?

Download the Leher App (Google Play, Apple Store) to book drone spraying services, access detailed reports, or join our drone partner program.

Take the next step toward faster, safer, and smarter agriculture, powered by precision, driven by you.

FAQs

Q. Can AI-powered drones work at night?

A. Not ideally. Most drones use optical cameras that require daylight. However, Leher drones equipped with thermal and multispectral sensors can capture data in low-light, though accuracy drops slightly. Daytime flights remain most effective.

Q. Does Leher provide training for drone operators?

A. Yes. Leher’s certified training takes 2–3 weeks and covers flying, safety, AI report reading, and spray management. Post-training support is ongoing via the operator app.

Become a Drone Partner Now

Q. Is the internet needed in the field for drone spraying?

A. No. Leher drones operate autonomously during flights. Connectivity is only needed for syncing reports, bookings, or viewing dashboards after the spray.

Q. What inputs can Leher drones spray?

A. A wide range. This includes pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, foliar fertilisers, and bio-stimulants. AI ensures the correct dosage based on stress mapping.

Q. How is spray effectiveness tracked?

A. Through data. Leher provides farmers with detailed post-spray reports, including spray maps, input usage, and drone flight paths. These insights help track ROI and yield improvements over time.