There’s a new acronym in town: DaaS. While we’re all familiar with SaaS and IaaS, DaaS stands for Drone as a Service—a model that’s taking flight in India’s agriculture sector.
DaaS utilises drone technology to overcome challenges like rising operational costs, labour shortages, or the need for more precise crop management.
It's a revolutionary model rapidly gaining traction across India's agricultural landscape, offering farmers a smarter way to farm. The Indian drone service market, already valued at ₹1,000 crore in 2020, is projected to soar to an impressive ₹33,000 crore by 2030.
DaaS offers you the power of advanced aerial technology on demand, enabling you to enhance productivity, significantly reduce costs, and embrace sustainable farming practices.
This transformation presents agricultural entrepreneurs with an unparalleled opportunity to tap into a rapidly expanding market. Therefore, in this blog, we’ll explore how you can start your own DaaS business and be part of a revolution.
Key Takeaways:
Drone as a Service (DaaS) offers on-demand access to drone technology, enabling farmers to save on equipment costs.
DaaS enables services like precision spraying, crop health monitoring, and environmental data collection.
It improves efficiency, reduces chemical usage, and conserves water, making farming more sustainable.
Entrepreneurs can offer drone services without needing a high upfront investment, while benefiting from a growing market.
DaaS faces challenges such as weather delays and trust issues, but solutions like improved battery life and government subsidies help mitigate these.
Government schemes provide financial support, making drone adoption more accessible to farmers and entrepreneurs alike.
What is Drone as a Service (DaaS)?
Imagine you're an agriculture entrepreneur with a fleet of drones, ready to provide specialised services like precision spraying to farmers. Instead of requiring farmers to purchase and maintain their drones, you offer them the ability to rent the service when needed.
DaaS means you, as a drone entrepreneur, own and operate the drones, while farmers rent the service for tasks like spraying pesticides, monitoring crop health, or collecting aerial data.
Farmers only pay for the service when they need it, eliminating the need for large upfront investments or the hassle of maintaining equipment.
DaaS provides numerous benefits for farmers. Drone spraying can cover large areas quickly, with some drones capable of spraying up to 50 acres in a single day. This boosts productivity and reduces labour costs.
Additionally, drones can help reduce pesticide usage by up to 30%, as they apply chemicals more precisely, limiting waste and minimising environmental impact.
Drones can also help in conserving water in regions where water is scarce. Some systems use up to 90% less water than traditional methods, resulting in significant cost savings for large-scale farmers.
As an agricultural entrepreneur, DaaS allows you to capitalise on the growing demand for precision agriculture. You can rent out your drones and provide services on demand.
Allowing you to grow your business while offering high-tech solutions to farmers without requiring them to make substantial investments in drone technology themselves.
Key Applications of Drones Through the DaaS Model
The Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) model opens up a wide range of drone applications that were once difficult and costly to manage independently by farmers.
As an entrepreneur, you can offer farmers precise, efficient, and cost-effective solutions using advanced drone technology and expert operators.
Agriculture: Precision Spraying and Crop Monitoring
DaaS offers farmers highly effective solutions for crop management. These services include:
Precision Spraying
Drones can spray pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers only where needed, reducing chemical overuse and protecting beneficial insects and soil health.
This results in up to 50% less pesticide usage, saving farmers money and reducing environmental impact. Drones can cover large fields in hours rather than days, making spraying more efficient.Crop Health Monitoring
With drones equipped with multispectral sensors, farmers can monitor crop health in real time. Drones capture detailed images that help detect early signs of pest infestations, diseases, or water stress.
This allows farmers to address issues quickly, preventing widespread damage and minimising crop loss.Environmental Data Collection
Drones can gather data on soil moisture, temperature, and nutrient levels. This targeted approach helps optimize irrigation and fertilisation, saving water and preventing over-fertilisation.
By providing these services through DaaS, you enable farmers to increase yields while maintaining sustainability.
Infrastructure Inspections with AI and LiDAR
Farmers rely on infrastructure like irrigation systems, solar panels, and storage facilities to support their operations. Regular inspections are necessary, but manual checks can be time-consuming and hazardous.
You can provide these inspections with AI and LiDAR technology, which offer precise, detailed scans of infrastructure.
Drones can detect cracks, leaks, and faults early, allowing for proactive maintenance that prevents costly repairs and downtime.
With DaaS, farmers can access these advanced inspection capabilities without the need to invest in expensive technology or specialised training, making it a more affordable and efficient option.
Digital Twins for Planning and Simulation
Digital twins are digital replicas of physical land or assets created using data collected by drones. These digital models allow farmers to simulate different scenarios before taking real-world action.
For example, farmers can model how changes in irrigation patterns affect crop growth, test pest control strategies virtually, or plan farm layouts.
By offering digital twin services via DaaS, you provide farmers with the tools to make data-driven decisions without requiring them to invest in complex equipment or software.
Your drones collect the necessary data, and experts handle the creation and analysis of the digital models, saving time and resources while increasing the accuracy of their planning.
Also Read: Uses and Benefits of Drones in Agriculture
Challenges and Solutions in the Drone as a Service Model
While the Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) model offers numerous advantages to drone entrepreneurs and farmers alike, certain challenges can impact its effectiveness and adoption.
Understanding these obstacles and how drone entrepreneurs can address them ensures smooth operations and helps farmers fully benefit from drone technology without disruptions.
Challenges | Details | Solutions |
Technical Challenges | Limited battery life can reduce flight time, especially for large farms or multiple sites. |
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Operational Challenges | Adverse weather conditions, such as strong winds, rain, or fog, can ground drones, resulting in delays. |
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Hesitations and Trust Issues | Farmers may have concerns about the complexity, cost, and privacy of drone services. |
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Also Read: How Drones Are Revolutionising Agriculture Practices
Comparing Drone as a Service (DaaS) and Traditional Manual Methods
Parameter | DaaS (Drone as a Service) - Precision Agriculture | Traditional Manual Methods | Technical & Economic Advantage for Farmers Using Daas |
Accuracy (A) | High-precision multi-nozzle systems with RTK/GPS. Can target specific plants/zones with sub-meter accuracy, minimal overspray (10-15% drift control). | Highly variable, relies on operator skill and fatigue, prone to significant overspray and missed spots (30-50% wastage). | Maximises chemical efficacy, reduces residue on non-target crops, and minimises environmental contamination. This leads to direct savings on inputs (fertilisers, pesticides) and potentially higher market value for crops. |
Data Collection & Analysis | High-resolution multi-spectral, thermal, and LiDAR sensors for precise crop health monitoring (NDVI, NDRE, etc.), soil moisture, and plant count. AI/ML data processing. | Visual scouting, limited soil sampling: labour-intensive, offering generalised data. | Drones provide granular insights for targeted interventions, enabling optimised input application and predictive management, which empowers smarter, more profitable decisions. |
Labor Requirement | Minimal on-site labour needed (drone pilot, ground crew). Automates repetitive tasks, such as spraying, reducing exposure to hazardous conditions. | Requires multiple labourers for scouting, spraying, and manual application of chemicals across fields. | Drones significantly reduce labour costs, address labour shortages, and free up human resources for higher-value tasks. Provides financial flexibility and operational resilience. |
Operational Speed & Coverage | Drones can cover vast areas rapidly, with a single drone capable of spraying 10-14 hectares per hour. | Manual spraying covers about 1 hectare per day; tractor-mounted systems cover 5-6 hectares per day. | Drones are up to 8 times faster, covering up to 50 acres per day. This rapid response helps reduce crop losses and optimises yield, ensuring nimble operations. |
Upfront Investment | No capital expenditure for drones, maintenance, or pilot training. Pay-per-service or subscription model. | Significant capital outlay for purchasing drones, machinery, and high recurring labour costs for manual operations. | DaaS eliminates the need for significant upfront capital investment. Reduces financial risk, offering farmers a flexible operational expense model. This also benefits drone entrepreneurs by reducing initial financial burdens. |
Maintenance & Expertise | DaaS provider handles all maintenance, upgrades, and regulatory compliance, and provides certified pilots. | Requires internal expertise for equipment maintenance, repairs, and training for operators. | Drone entrepreneurs provide seamless, high-quality operations, eliminating the need for farmers to manage technical aspects. This allows entrepreneurs to maintain high standards of service while focusing on operations. |
Environmental Impact | Precision spraying minimises drift, reduces environmental pollution, and promotes soil health. | Increased risk of chemicals entering water bodies, impacting biodiversity, and degrading soil quality. | By offering eco-friendly, precision-based services, drone entrepreneurs position themselves as leaders in sustainable farming practices, appealing to environmentally conscious customers. |
How to Get Started with Drone as a Service
Getting started with Drone as a Service (DaaS) is straightforward. Begin by researching reputable providers that specialise in agriculture drones and offer strong training and support.
Compare pricing and services to find the best fit, and consider starting with a small pilot project. Stay updated on government incentives to maximise your benefits as you scale.
Here are some steps you can take:
Research Providers: Look for reputable DaaS companies with good track records in agriculture and relevant support services.
Check Training and Support: If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or drone pilot, choose providers offering certification, hands-on training, and business assistance.
Understand Pricing and Services: Compare costs, equipment quality, and service flexibility.
Start Small: Begin with a pilot project or limited service to see the benefits firsthand before scaling up.
Stay Informed: Keep up with government schemes, subsidies, and community programs that support drone adoption.
Leher's drone partner program is your gateway to a successful drone business. We equip you with advanced technology, essential training, and direct access to clients. Take flight with Leher today and turn your drone aspirations into a profitable reality!
Government Subsidies to Boost Your Drone Business in Agriculture
The Indian government, both at the central and state levels, offers significant subsidies to promote the adoption of drones in agriculture.
As a drone entrepreneur, these subsidies can help you reduce the initial costs of purchasing drones and setting up services. Here’s a concise overview of the relevant subsidies:
Central Government Subsidies for Agricultural Drones
Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM):
For FPOs & Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs):
Grants of up to 75% of the drone cost for FPOs to conduct demonstrations on farmers’ fields.
40-50% subsidy for setting up CHCs, depending on the entity (e.g., FPOs, rural entrepreneurs, agriculture graduates).
For Individual Farmers: 50% subsidy (up to ₹5 lakhs) for small and marginal farmers, SC/ST farmers, and women farmers. 40% subsidy (up to ₹4 lakhs) for other farmers.
For Agricultural Institutions: 100% subsidy for government agricultural institutions (e.g., ICAR) for drone purchases to demonstrate on farmers' fields.
NaMo Drone Didi Yojana (for Women SHGs):
80% subsidy on drone costs (up to ₹8 lakhs) for Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to provide rental services to farmers.
State Government Subsidies for Agricultural Drones
Andhra Pradesh: 80% subsidy for FPOs to procure drones for pesticide spraying.
Bihar: Up to 60% subsidy (₹3.65 lakh) for purchasing agricultural drones, along with free drone pilot training.
Uttar Pradesh: Subsidies are available for buying drones under various agricultural schemes, with online applications accepted through the state agriculture portal.
Maharashtra: 75% subsidy for FPOs (up to ₹7.5 lakhs) and 40% subsidy for individual farmers (up to ₹4 lakhs).
Madhya Pradesh: Drone Promotion and Utilisation Policy 2025 encourages drone usage with incentives for service providers.
Key Considerations for Drone Entrepreneurs:
Eligibility: Check the specific eligibility requirements for each scheme (e.g., farmer categories, landholding size).
Application Process: Most subsidies are applied for through online portals, such as the Agriculture Mechanisation Portal.
Training: Mandatory pilot training is often required; some state schemes offer free training.
Local Support: For guidance on subsidies, you can visit your local District Agriculture Office or Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK).
By utilising these government subsidies, you can significantly reduce costs and make drone services more accessible to farmers. This can help your drone business scale quickly and sustainably while contributing to the modernisation of agriculture.
Leverage Government Subsidies and Partner with Leher. Take advantage of available subsidies and become a part of Leher’s Drone Partner Program. Equip yourself with cutting-edge technology and expert support to offer high-demand drone services while scaling your business efficiently.
Join Leher’s Drone Partner Program
As a drone entrepreneur, aligning with the right platform can significantly enhance your business prospects. Leher's Drone Partner Program offers a comprehensive ecosystem designed to support and grow your drone spraying operations.
Here's how partnering with Leher can benefit you:
Seamless Integration and Support
Comprehensive Onboarding: Whether you own a drone or need one, Leher provides tailored solutions to suit your needs.
Guaranteed Earnings: Leher connects you with farmers requiring drone spraying services, ensuring a steady stream of income.
Financial Assistance: Access to AIF loans, insurance, and Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) simplifies financial management.
24/7 Technical Support: Receive round-the-clock assistance for operations, hardware, software, flight logs, and order management.
Efficient Operations with Advanced Tools
Drone Partner App: Manage orders, schedule flights, and maintain comprehensive flight logs through Leher's intuitive app.
Route Optimisation: Utilise machine learning capabilities to plan efficient flight paths, reducing operational costs.
Training and Certification
Certified Training Programs: Leher offers structured training to equip you with the necessary skills and certifications to operate drones effectively.
Ongoing Support: Continuous assistance ensures you stay updated with the latest practices and technologies in drone operations.
Community and Growth Opportunities
Networking: Connect with over 100 drone entrepreneurs and more than 2,100 satisfied farmers, fostering a collaborative environment.
Expansion Potential: Leverage Leher's platform to scale your operations and explore new business avenues in the agricultural sector.
Let’s talk! Schedule a free call with our experts or get started instantly by downloading the Leher app. Your smarter farming journey begins now.
Conclusion
The Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) model offers an affordable way to access cutting-edge drone technology, helping large-scale farmers save time, reduce costs, and improve crop health.
It also provides aspiring drone pilots a low-risk path to start their businesses. With growing applications in precision agriculture and more, now is the perfect time to explore the booming drone market in India.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How does Drone as a Service (DaaS) benefit farmers with limited capital?
A. DaaS allows farmers to access high-tech drone services without needing to purchase expensive equipment. Instead of investing in drones, farmers can rent the services only when needed, making it more affordable. This model eliminates the need for large upfront costs and maintenance, allowing farmers to pay for services on a per-use basis, reducing financial risk.
Q. Can DaaS be used in regions with poor internet connectivity?
A. Yes, many DaaS providers offer offline solutions, where drones can function without needing continuous internet connectivity. These systems allow data to be collected and processed on-site, and updates can be uploaded once the drone is within a network range. This makes DaaS a viable option for remote areas with limited internet access.
Q. What are the environmental benefits of using drones for farming?
A. Drones significantly reduce pesticide usage by targeting specific areas, minimizing chemical overuse, and preventing runoff into water sources. They also optimize irrigation by collecting real-time data on soil moisture, helping farmers conserve water, which is critical in areas facing water scarcity. This makes drones an eco-friendly option for sustainable farming practices.
Q. How can drone entrepreneurs ensure the safety of their equipment during operations?
A. Drone entrepreneurs can ensure the safety of their equipment by investing in high-quality, weather-resistant drones and using advanced flight planning software. Regular maintenance, battery checks, and pre-flight inspections are essential for avoiding accidents. Additionally, having trained pilots who are familiar with local regulations can help minimize operational risks.
Q. What legal considerations do drone entrepreneurs need to keep in mind?
A. Drone entrepreneurs must comply with local and national regulations, such as those set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India. These include obtaining proper certifications, registering drones, and ensuring that pilots are trained and licensed. Entrepreneurs should also consider insurance for both equipment and potential liability to ensure legal compliance and protect their business.
Q. How can DaaS services help improve crop yield? A. DaaS services such as precision spraying and crop health monitoring allow farmers to intervene early with targeted solutions, improving crop health and yield. Drones equipped with multispectral sensors can detect early signs of pests or diseases, allowing farmers to apply treatments where needed, preventing widespread crop damage. This results in healthier crops and higher yields.
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