India’s drone services market is growing steadily, and for good reason. Across the country, farmers are looking for better ways to manage rising costs, unpredictable weather, and labour shortages. Drones offer a practical solution that helps improve crop health, save time, and reduce waste.
With the industry expected to grow at 6.73% annually between 2025 and 2030, more farmers and agri-entrepreneurs are turning to drone services for reliable and precision-based spraying and monitoring.
In this blog, we’ll break down the size of India’s drone services market and explore the trends that are shaping its future, especially for those working in agriculture.
Key Takeaways
Drone services are solving real problems on the farm, from reducing labour struggles to improving the accuracy of pesticide spraying.
Farmers now have access to safer and faster spraying options, with digital reports that bring more control and visibility.
Government-backed programmes are making drones more accessible, encouraging both adoption and innovation across rural India.
Agri-entrepreneurs can build a steady income without high upfront costs, thanks to platforms that simplify training, bookings, and operations.
Leher is bridging the gap between technology and the field, helping both farmers and drone operators succeed through a simple app-based system.
Why Drone Services Are in Demand
The agricultural industry in India faces rising operational costs, labour shortages, and an increasing demand for precision. Traditional farming methods are struggling to meet these challenges, and farmers are turning to new solutions to stay competitive.
Here’s why drone services are becoming essential:
Rising Costs and Labour Shortages: With increasing input costs and a shortage of skilled labour, drones offer a cost-effective, automated solution to reduce dependence on manual labour.
Demand for Precision: Drones can spray fertilisers and pesticides with high precision, ensuring targeted application and reducing wastage, which improves crop yields.
Time and Resource Efficiency: Drones can cover up to 50 acres per day, saving farmers time and resources compared to traditional methods.
Enhanced Crop Monitoring: Drones help farmers monitor crop health, detect issues early, and make data-driven decisions for better management.
Drones are proving to be an effective solution to the growing challenges in farming, offering precision, efficiency, and the potential for higher productivity.
India’s Drone Services Market: Key Growth Numbers
India is witnessing a steady rise in drone adoption, especially in agriculture, where the need for efficiency, precision, and sustainability is driving change. As more farmers and agri-service providers look for smarter ways to manage spraying, monitoring, and planting, the drone services market is beginning to show real momentum.
Projected Revenue: The drone market in India is expected to generate USD 28.74 million in 2025, reflecting growing commercial and agricultural interest.
Annual Growth Rate: Between 2025 and 2030, this market is set to grow at a CAGR of 6.73%, signalling consistent expansion.
Unit Volume Forecast: By 2030, the total volume of drones in India is projected to reach 88,730 units, up from current levels, showing a rising appetite for drone-powered solutions.
Year-on-Year Growth: In 2026 alone, drone volume is expected to increase by 6.2%, pointing to strong near-term demand.
Agriculture-Specific Growth: A significant portion of this expansion comes from agri-drone adoption. Valued at USD 145.13 million in 2024, India’s agri-drone market is projected to grow at 26% CAGR, reaching USD 731.75 million by 2031, transforming how crops are monitored, sprayed, and managed.
Per Capita Impact: Although still a small market per person (USD 0.02 per capita revenue in 2025), the potential for scale is enormous as more rural areas embrace drone technology.
The shift toward drone spraying isn’t just about new tech. It’s about solving real problems in the field, from safety risks to rising costs.
What’s Fuelling the Surge in Agri-Drone Services?
Farmers today are looking for practical ways to improve spraying without putting themselves or their crops at risk. Drone adoption is rising quickly, backed by both need and opportunity.
1. Government support is making drones easier to access
Schemes like the PLI Programme, Drone Shakti, and various state subsidies are helping reduce the cost barrier for farmers and drone operators.
2. Drones save time and reduce labour struggles
With fewer farm workers available, drones cover more area in less time no delays, no extra hiring.
3. Farmers want to avoid direct chemical exposure
Spraying with drones means no walking through sprayed fields, no handling of toxic chemicals.
4. More awareness of input efficiency
Drones spray evenly and use just the right amount, cutting waste and saving money on pesticides and fertilisers.
5. Precision matters for today’s crops
Crops need just the right dose in just the right spot. Drones help reduce overspraying and missed patches.
6. Access to digital reports and spray logs
Drone services often include post-spray data, helping farmers track what’s been done and when. For example, Leher provides detailed dashboards that show spray coverage, chemical usage, and drone flight paths, giving farmers the clarity they need to plan their next move.
7. Suitable for diverse crop types and field sizes
From rice to tea, drones are proving useful across terrains and regions.
As drone spraying gains momentum in agriculture, it’s not just farmers who benefit. A new wave of rural entrepreneurs and agri businesses is finding real opportunities to grow.
Opportunities for Drone Entrepreneurs and Agri Businesses
With growing demand and government support, drones are opening up income and innovation possibilities in rural India.
1. Start a business with low investment and high demand
Rural entrepreneurs can enter the drone ecosystem through franchise-style programmes that don’t require owning a drone. Platforms like Leher help new operators get trained, access equipment, and find spraying jobs without chasing leads or spending on marketing.
2. Enable FPOs to offer drone spraying at scale
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are adopting drone technology to provide efficient spraying services to their member farmers. This shared service model helps reduce input costs and ensures uniform application across large acreages.
3. Tap into bulk spraying needs for commercial crops
Large plantations of tea, rubber, and horticulture crops often require repeated, high-volume spraying. Drones meet this need with speed and accuracy, creating a consistent work pipeline for drone operators who partner with these estates.
4. Make the most of seasonal surges in spraying demand
During monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, pest and disease outbreaks rise sharply. Drone entrepreneurs can capitalise on this seasonal urgency, providing timely and scalable services to farmers who need fast action.
5. Partner with agri-input companies to boost reach
Agri-input brands and distributors are increasingly collaborating with drone operators to ensure efficient and traceable product application. These partnerships offer entrepreneurs added income and reliability through long-term contracts.
With over 100 trained drone entrepreneurs and 30,000+ acres sprayed, Leher provides hands-on experience, expert-backed training, and local partnerships to help you fly faster. Our Drone Partner Programme allows you to start earning without owning a drone, and the app streamlines bookings, compliance tracking, and payments all in one place.
Download the Leher app from Google Play or Apple Store.
As India’s drone services market expands, success will depend on how easily individuals can tap into this opportunity without huge upfront investments or operational stress.
How Leher Turns Growth Trends into Real Gains
Leher isn’t just supporting farmers. It is also enabling rural entrepreneurs to build reliable income streams through drone spraying. With over 130 drone partners and 35,000 acres already sprayed, Leher offers a full-stack system that simplifies everything from job matching to spray tracking.
Partners get access to high-quality drones, real-time dashboards, route optimisation tools, and fast payment options, all in one easy-to-use platform.
Get Bookings Without Cold Calls: Leher connects you to local spraying jobs so you can focus on completing work rather than chasing leads.
Avoid Costly Drone Purchases: Use advanced drones provided by Leher that include features like return-to-home and flow sensors, without buying your own equipment.
Stay on Track with Dashboards: Track every spray job, payment, and booking through the Leher App with detailed logs and reports.
Work Smarter, Not Harder: Route optimisation, daily schedules, QR-based payments, and automated spray logs help you save time and boost productivity.
Want to grow your income with drones but don’t know where to start? Leher’s Drone Partner Programme gives you everything you need to succeed, from hands-on training to instant access to real spraying jobs in your area.
Schedule a free call and get started by downloading the Leher App from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store today.
FAQs
1. Why are more farmers and agri businesses choosing drone services?
Farmers are facing rising costs, labour shortages, and the need for faster, safer spraying. Drones help tackle these challenges by improving efficiency, reducing manual effort, and delivering more precise applications. With growing government support and better awareness, drones are becoming a trusted tool for modern farming.
2. Which states are offering subsidies for drone use in agriculture?
Multiple states participate in drone subsidy programmes under federal schemes like the PLI programme and local initiatives such as Drone Shakti and state-level agricultural subsidies. For detailed eligibility and application criteria, check with your local agriculture department or state drone cell.
3. What kind of training is available for drone pilots?
Training options range from government-supported programmes under Drone Shakti or SMAM to private training institutes. These typically cover drone operation, safety, maintenance, spraying protocols, and compliance with DGCA regulations.
4. How does Leher help drone entrepreneurs earn without owning a drone?
Leher’s Drone Partner Programme provides access to high-quality drones without purchase. Entrepreneurs receive hands-on training, automatic access to local spraying jobs, real-time performance dashboards, route optimisation, and payment processing, all managed through the Leher app.
5. What kind of crops benefit from drone spraying?
Drone spraying is highly effective on large-area or high-value crops such as tea, rubber, rice, paddy, cotton, and horticultural fruits and vegetables. It’s also used for targeted applications like soil nutrients and disease control.
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