Every season, farmers in India endure the back-breaking task of carrying heavy spray tanks and face direct exposure to harmful chemicals, risking their health for the sake of a good harvest. We understand that your livelihood depends on protecting your crops, and this has long been a difficult trade-off.

Today, there is a safer, more efficient way. Plant pests and disease detection and targeted spraying using spray drones are emerging as a solution to the challenges farmers have endured. 

Spray drones are a practical solution to reduce labour, save resources, and keep you safe. However, operating a spray drone comes with a clear set of requirements and regulations from the government.

This guide is designed to cut through the confusion and provide a clear roadmap so you can confidently adopt this technology and operate within the established rules.

Key Takeaways

• Spray drones boost efficiency by covering large areas quickly and reducing labour and chemical costs through precise spraying.

• They improve safety by keeping farmers away from harmful chemicals and minimise environmental impact by reducing chemical drift.

• Drones must be registered with DGCA, certified for safety, and flown by licensed pilots under the Drone Rules, 2021.

• Only pesticides approved by the Central Insecticides Board can be used, following crop-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Operators must notify local authorities and inform nearby communities before spraying to ensure safe and compliant operations.

• Non-compliance with regulations can lead to fines up to ₹1 lakh or legal action, making adherence essential for all drone users.

What Are Spray Drones and Their Role in Indian Agriculture?

A spray drone is a specialised unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for applying liquids like pesticides, fertilisers, and herbicides to agricultural fields. Unlike traditional ground sprayers or manual backpack spraying, drones operate from the air, offering a bird's-eye view and unparalleled precision.

These drones are equipped with tanks, pumps, and nozzles, similar to larger machinery, but their operation is controlled remotely. They use GPS to follow pre-programmed flight paths, ensuring a uniform and targeted application of chemicals.

In India, drones are transforming farming by addressing several key challenges:

• Efficiency and Cost Savings: Spray drones cover large areas quickly, work in difficult terrains, and reduce labour costs. Their precision minimises chemical waste, saving input costs.

• Safety and Sustainability: Drones keep farmers away from direct chemical exposure and reduce drift, lowering health risks and environmental impact.

• Rising Adoption: The use of agricultural drones is growing across India, particularly in Maharashtra, Telangana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, driven by subsidies and initiatives such as Namo Drone Didi, which promotes women-led drone operations.

Thinking about adopting this technology for your farm? Visit Leher to find out how drone spraying can help you save on costs, boost yields, and ensure your safety with just a few clicks.

What Are the Technical Requirements for Spray Drones in India?

When choosing a spray drone, understanding its technical specifications is crucial for ensuring it meets your farming needs and complies with Indian regulations. These features dictate the drone's efficiency, precision, and safety.

Drone Specifications:

• Payload Capacity: Drones in India typically have a liquid tank capacity of 10 to 16 litres, with a maximum takeoff weight of around 25-36 kg. This capacity allows a drone to cover a significant area, often around 1 acre per flight, before needing a refill.

• Flight Time: The flight time for these heavy-duty agricultural drones is generally 8-25 minutes on a single battery charge, depending on the payload, wind conditions, and flight speed.

Spray System Technology:

• Nozzle Types: Most agricultural drones use specialised nozzles, such as flat-fan or hollow-cone nozzles, designed to create a fine mist for uniform application. Advanced systems may use centrifugal or atomisation nozzles to produce consistent droplet sizes, minimising waste and maximising coverage.

• Spray Volume Control: Drones are equipped with pumps that can be precisely controlled via the remote controller or an automated flight plan. This allows for variable-rate application, where the spray volume is adjusted based on crop density or the specific needs of different areas of the field. This capability, often integrated with GPS mapping, is a key component of precision farming.

GPS and Automation Features:

• RTK GPS: To achieve centimetre-level accuracy, drones often use Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS technology. This system corrects GPS data in real-time, allowing the drone to follow pre-programmed flight paths with extreme precision.

• Automation: Modern agricultural drones can operate in fully or semi-autonomous modes. Features like waypoint navigation, obstacle avoidance radar, and terrain-following sensors allow the drone to fly safely and efficiently without constant manual control. A "return-to-home" function ensures the drone automatically returns to its starting point on low battery or signal loss.

Also Read: Anatomy of a Drone: Full Components Guide for Smarter Spraying

Maintenance and Safety Equipment:

• Maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential. This includes weekly checks of propellers, motors, and the drone frame, as well as cleaning and lubricating moving parts. The spray nozzles and pipes require frequent cleaning to prevent clogs.

• Safety Equipment: Essential safety equipment includes spare propellers, a battery checker, a multimeter for troubleshooting, and a dedicated nozzle cleaning kit. It is also crucial for operators to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, gloves, and safety goggles to avoid any accidental chemical exposure during refilling.

Overwhelmed by the technical specifications? Leher provides hassle-free drone spraying services with a network of certified experts, so you don't have to worry about the equipment.

What Are the Crop-Specific SOPs for Spraying Pesticides with Drones in India?

The Government of India, through its Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, has developed standardised crop-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide effective and safe pesticide application using drones.

These SOPs are based on extensive research covering nine major crops widely grown in India: rice, maize, cotton, groundnut, pigeon pea, safflower, sesame, soybean, and sugarcane.

Key Operational Parameters:

• Drone Flying Speed: Typically between 3.5 to 5.0 metres/second, depending on the crop and spraying conditions.

• Height Above Crop Canopy: Generally 1.5 to 2.5 metres, except sugarcane, where 3 to 4 metres is recommended to avoid drift and crop damage.

• Water Volume: Spraying volume ranges from 20 to 25 litres per hectare, applied in stages based on crop growth.

• Nozzle Type: Use of anti-drift flat fan nozzles with droplet size between 250 to 350 microns ensures coverage and reduces drift.

• Suitable Time for Spraying: Early morning (6-10 am) and late afternoon (3-6 pm) are optimal. Spraying during flowering stages is strictly avoided to prevent crop damage and harm to pollinators.

• Environmental Conditions: Spray only when the temperature is below 25 °C, humidity is above 50%, and wind speed is less than 3 m/s. Avoid spraying during rain, fog, or poor visibility.

• Site-Specific Considerations: Terrain sensors should be used on sloped fields, and obstacles like trees, power lines, and buildings must be carefully mapped.

Crop-Specific Highlights:

• Rice: Avoid spraying during flowering. Opt for cooler parts of the day if spraying near the flowering stage.

• Cotton: Avoid chemical sprays during the first two months to protect natural predators; avoid highly hazardous insecticides and pyrethroids early in the season.

• Maize: Limit to a maximum of two chemical sprays per crop cycle, targeting early or late day to protect natural enemies.

• Groundnut: Night-active pests like Spodoptera require dusky hour sprays with biopesticides.

• Pigeon Pea: Avoid spraying under hot or windy conditions.

• Safflower: Spray in evenings for night-active pests; avoid pesticides at midday and flowering periods to protect beneficial insects.

• Sesame: Follow general parameters, avoiding spraying during flowering.

• Soybean: Spray early morning or late evening to protect natural parasitoids and pollinators during flowering.

• Sugarcane: Use a higher flying height (3-4m), avoid spraying during flowering, and follow similar environmental guidelines.

Also Read: Pest Management Strategies for Sugarcane Crop

Additional Safety and Usage Guidelines:

• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) during spray preparation and operation.

• Maintain and calibrate the drone and spray equipment before use.

• Follow pesticide label instructions and avoid over-application or mixing incompatible chemicals.

• Dispose of leftover chemicals and containers safely to prevent environmental contamination.

• Strictly comply with drone flight regulations and safety protocols, including line-of-sight flying and no-fly zones.

What is the Legal and Regulatory Framework for Spray Drones in India?

Spray drones in India operate under the Drone Rules, 2021, overseen by the DGCA, with support from the Ministry of Agriculture and CIB&RC. Drones used in agriculture typically fall into the Small (2–25 kg) or Medium (25–150 kg) categories.

To fly legally:

• Drones must be registered on the DGCA’s Digital Sky Platform, with a Unique Identification Number (UIN) and a Certificate of Registration (CoR).

• The drone model must have a Type Certificate from the DGCA to confirm safety standards.

• Pilots need a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) from a DGCA-approved training institute.

Flights must follow airspace rules:

• Green Zones: Most farmlands fall under this zone. Drones can fly up to 400 feet without extra permissions.

• Yellow Zones: Require ATC approval.

• Red Zones: Strictly no-fly areas.

• Always check the Digital Sky Map before takeoff.

On the agricultural side, only CIB&RC-approved pesticides can be sprayed. Operators must follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that cover factors like weather conditions, avoiding drift, and responsible chemical use.

What Are the Additional Licensing and Permissions Required for Agricultural Spray Drones?

While general drone rules lay the foundation, agricultural spraying has its own rulebook, and it’s strict.

For “Kisan Drones,” the Ministry of Agriculture, along with CIB&RC, mandates SOPs for pesticide application. The pesticide must already be registered with CIB&RC and specifically approved for aerial use.

If a company wants to introduce a new formulation for drone spraying, it must conduct trials and submit data on effectiveness, toxicity, and residue. Farmers using pre-approved products skip this, but must follow label instructions carefully.

Operations also require local coordination:

• Notify local authorities, the district agricultural office, and police before each spray.

• Inform nearby communities ahead of time to protect residents, livestock, and beehives.

Non-compliance can be costly:

• Fines up to ₹1 lakh under the Drone Rules or Aircraft Act.

• Legal action (including imprisonment) is possible for serious violations like flying in no-fly zones or using unregistered drones.

Ready to get started, but need support navigating the regulations? Leher's network of licensed drone partners handles all the legal and operational details, so you can focus on farming with confidence.

Conclusion

Spray drones are transforming Indian agriculture by improving efficiency, reducing labour, and minimising chemical exposure. However, using them legally and effectively requires meeting specific technical, regulatory, and operational standards.

To operate a spray drone, you must ensure the drone is certified, registered, and flown by a licensed pilot. Only approved pesticides can be used, and all spraying must follow crop-specific SOPs issued by the Ministry of Agriculture. Local authorities and nearby communities must be informed before each operation.

Failing to follow these rules can result in heavy fines or legal action. By complying with all requirements, you protect your farm, your workers, and your business while taking full advantage of this advanced technology. Use drones smartly, within the law, and with precision to get the best results.

Looking to revolutionise your farm with drone technology?

Leher is an innovative platform dedicated to bringing the power of precision agriculture to Indian farmers. They streamline the drone spraying process, making it incredibly simple and efficient through a Book | Spray | Pay model.

By connecting farmers with a network of certified Drone Partners, Leher helps you save up to 90% on water and 40% on pesticides, while keeping you safe from harmful chemicals. 

It's a thriving community that empowers rural entrepreneurs and makes advanced farming accessible to everyone.

To learn more about how Leher can help your farm thrive, visit their website or download the app.

Google Play Store | App Store

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the typical cost of an agricultural spray drone, and are government subsidies available for farmers? 

A. The cost of a professional spray drone in India can range from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, depending on the payload and features. The Government of India offers subsidies, often through schemes like the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM), to make this technology more accessible. Farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) can get financial assistance covering a significant portion of the drone's cost.

Q. How do I handle a low-battery situation or a mid-flight emergency with my spray drone? 

A. Drones are equipped with a "Return-to-Home" (RTH) function that automatically brings the drone back when the battery is critically low or the signal is lost. If an emergency occurs, the operator should immediately activate the RTH function to bring the drone back to a safe, pre-designated landing spot. You should also land the drone manually if you notice any unusual behaviour before the automatic RTH triggers.

Q. Besides weather, are there any seasonal or time-of-day restrictions for using drones for spraying? 

A. The best time for spraying is typically early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler and wind speeds are low, which also helps prevent evaporation and drift. Operators should strictly avoid spraying during flowering stages to protect delicate crops and crucial pollinators like bees. This is a critical factor for crop health and broader ecosystem sustainability.

Q. What kind of ongoing training or refresher courses are recommended for licenced drone pilots? 

A. After initial certification, it's a good practise to take refresher courses every 1-2 years to stay updated on new drone models, software, and evolving regulations. Training should also cover specific scenarios like handling complex terrains, advanced automation features, and troubleshooting common technical issues in the field. This continuous learning ensures you operate with maximum safety and efficiency.

Q. How can I use the data collected by the drone's sensors to make better farming decisions? 

A. Drones with multispectral sensors can capture data to create health maps of your crops, revealing areas with pest infestations or nutrient deficiencies. By analysing these maps, you can apply fertilisers or pesticides only where needed, leading to precision farming that saves costs and improves yields. This data-driven approach helps you move from blanket-spraying to a targeted, efficient strategy.

Q. How should I properly store my drone and its components during the off-season to ensure its longevity? 

A. First, thoroughly clean the drone, especially the nozzles and pumps, to remove any chemical residue. Store the drone in a cool, dry place and keep the batteries at a recommended storage charge (usually around 50-60%) to prevent degradation over time. Regular cleaning and proper storage extend the drone's life and ensure it's ready for the next farming season.