India is on track to become the third-largest drone market by 2025, with agriculture expected to be a key driver of this growth.
As spraying with drones gains popularity, many farmers and service providers are considering this shift. However, not every technology is suitable for every farm.
In this blog, we break down the pros and cons of drones in agriculture, with real challenges, clear benefits, and practical insights to help you decide if this is the right move for your field.
What Are Agricultural Drones and How Do They Work?
Traditional spraying by hand or tractor often results in uneven chemical coverage, slow operations, and high labour costs. For large farms or remote terrain, this method becomes even more inefficient.
Agricultural drones, also known as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), offer a faster, safer, and more precise way to manage input application. These flying machines are designed specifically for field operations, such as spraying, mapping, and crop health monitoring. Instead of driving through your field, the drone flies overhead, reducing soil damage and delivering even chemical distribution.
What’s Inside a Drone That Makes It Farm-Ready?
Here are the key components that make agricultural drones smart and spraying-ready:
GPS and RTK Modules: These systems help the drone navigate your field with centimetre-level accuracy. RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) ensures precise flight paths, even around obstacles or narrow farm boundaries.
Electric Pumps and Fogger Nozzles: These spray systems distribute chemicals in ultra-fine droplets, ensuring better absorption by plants. Drones like Leher’s are designed to maintain consistent spray pressure and flow, even during wind shifts.
Flow Sensors and Liquid Meters: These sensors monitor pesticide or fertiliser output in real time, ensuring you spray the exact amount required, no more, no less.
Flight Controller and Obstacle Sensors: The onboard controller maintains the drone's stability while adapting to varying terrain heights. Advanced models also feature terrain-following systems and object detection capabilities to avoid obstacles such as trees or poles.
Cameras and Monitoring Systems: Some drones include live cameras or multispectral imaging for scouting pest damage, checking for nutrient deficiencies, or mapping stress zones in the crop.
Once you map your farm using mobile-based tools or built-in software, the drone flies autonomously over the planned route. It adjusts its height and speed based on the crop type and spraying volume, and logs the entire operation digitally.
Why It Matters?
Agricultural drones have become decision-making tools. By combining accurate navigation, efficient spraying, and real-time feedback, drones transform how inputs are applied across Indian farms.
With Leher, this becomes even simpler and more farmer-friendly. There is no jargon, no extra complexity. Just efficient spraying, delivered on time, with full traceability.
What Are the Real Benefits of Using Drones in Agriculture?
From reducing spray time to improving crop health, drones are transforming the way Indian farms operate. But beyond speed and automation, the biggest value lies in the precision and adaptability drones bring to agricultural tasks, especially when backed by platforms like Leher.
Here are the most meaningful advantages that farmers, drone entrepreneurs, and agri-businesses are experiencing across India:
Faster and More Efficient Spraying
Drones eliminate the need for hours of manual labour or large tractor sprayers.
A typical agricultural drone can spray 1 acre in 5–7 minutes.
Leher’s drone fleet covers up to 50 acres a day, even in tea plantations, rubber fields, or uneven terrain.
With automated spraying routes, there's no overlap or missed sections.
This dramatically reduces workload, especially during peak season.
Precision Input Application
Spray only where needed at exactly the right dose.
GPS and RTK modules maintain consistent altitude and path for even coverage.
Flow sensors and smart nozzles adjust spraying rates in real time.
In Leher's tea plantation case study, drones reduced chemical residue by 75% per kg of tea.
This precision improves input efficiency and lowers chemical costs.
Improved Crop Monitoring and Health Assessment
Drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and multi-spectral sensors.
They capture real-time images of crop colour, stress, pest attacks, and disease spread.
Time-lapse maps track plant growth and help detect problems early.
Thermal and NDVI sensors help farmers decide where to irrigate or treat first.
This leads to faster decisions and fewer losses.
Better Water and Resource Use
In water-scarce areas, drones play a crucial role.
Drones use ultra-low-volume spraying, reducing water consumption by up to 90%.
Advanced sensors help identify dry patches or irrigation leaks.
Fertilisers, too, can be applied with more accuracy and less waste.
This makes drones highly effective in drought-prone and high-input-cost regions.
Safer Operations for Workers
Farmers and operators no longer need to come into contact with hazardous chemicals.
Drones are controlled remotely via mobile apps or smart controllers.
Spray operations can be monitored from a safe distance.
This reduces the risk of skin, eye, or lung exposure.
Safer practices also open up new opportunities for women-led drone SHGs under schemes like Namo Drone Didi.
Access to Difficult Terrain
Many farms in India are located on slopes, in marshy areas, or are fragmented across different zones.
Drones fly over terraces, bunds, marshes, and hilly areas without disturbing the soil.
Leher’s drones have been used in fields where tractors and backpack sprayers simply can’t reach.
This flexibility unlocks productivity in areas that were previously difficult to manage.
Reduced Soil Compaction
Traditional machines can harm the root zone and degrade soil structure.
Drones eliminate the need to drive through fields for spraying or monitoring.
This preserves soil porosity and root health, especially in nurseries, orchards, and vegetable farms.
Healthier soil means long-term gains in fertility and yield.
Timely Seeding and Planting Support
Drones are being used in pilot projects for cover crop seeding.
Drones can plant seeds even before main crops are harvested—known as preharvest interseeding.
They can fly over wet or soft ground when tractors cannot operate.
This ensures timely sowing, especially in monsoon-dependent cropping cycles.
This method is already showing promise in sustainable agriculture and soil protection practices.
Real-Time Data and Automated Reports
Drones do more than spray; they collect critical operational data.
Leher’s system generates spray heatmaps, chemical logs, and flight path records after each job.
Drone entrepreneurs can track service history, battery life, and income metrics via dashboards.
Farmers can evaluate coverage and plan repeat operations better.
This data-driven approach improves accountability, service quality, and decision-making.
The benefits of using drones in agriculture extend beyond simply replacing manual work. They unlock precision, safety, efficiency, and data that traditional methods can’t match. Backed by user-friendly platforms like Leher, drones are helping Indian farms become smarter, more resilient, and more profitable.
Next, we’ll explore the limitations to be aware of before investing. Because making the right decision starts with understanding both sides.
Also Read: The Role of Drones to Detect Pests for Agriculture in India
What Are the Limitations of Using Drones in Agriculture and How Can You Overcome Them?
Drones can transform how Indian farms are managed, but they aren’t magic. Like any new technology, they come with their own set of operational, financial, and environmental limitations.
For every progressive farmer or drone entrepreneur, it’s important to know these barriers upfront and plan for them. Below is a breakdown of the most common challenges and how platforms like Leher are solving them in the field:
Short Battery Life and Limited Flight Time
Most agricultural drones offer a flight time of only 15–25 minutes per charge. For large fields, this means the drone must land frequently for recharging or battery replacement.
Spraying delays during battery swaps can reduce efficiency.
Added downtime affects productivity, especially during tight seasonal windows.
Leher’s Solution: Each drone partner carries three pre-charged batteries and a 240V charging kit. Swaps are completed quickly during tank refills, ensuring a smooth workflow even on large acreages. Leher's jumbo battery is able to complete a minimum of 5 acres per charge.
High Initial Investment and Ownership Cost
Advanced drones used for spraying, imaging, or planting typically cost ₹3–5 lakh or more. Add spare parts, maintenance, and training, and the financial entry barrier becomes steep, especially for smallholders.
Ongoing expenses for repairs, upgrades, and storage increase total ownership cost.
Return on investment may take multiple seasons.
Leher’s Solution: Farmers don’t need to own a drone. They can book drone services on the Leher app or WhatsApp. Leher also supports leasing models for agri-service providers and connects users to subsidies under SMAM and schemes like Namo Drone Didi.
Weather-Dependent Operations
Drones cannot operate safely in poor weather. High winds, rain, or fog can interfere with GPS, damage sensitive electronics, or reduce spray accuracy.
Sudden weather changes can delay tasks like spraying or mapping.
Aerial applications during rain often need to be redone.
Leher’s Solution: Operators use local forecasts and field-level weather data to plan operations. Drones are grounded when conditions are unsafe, and rescheduling is done without added cost to the farmer.
Complex Government Regulations
In India, drones must follow DGCA guidelines. This includes registration, remote pilot licenses (RPLOS), geo-fencing, height restrictions, and pre-flight documentation.
Navigating legal rules can be intimidating for farmers.
Lack of compliance can lead to penalties or confiscation.
Leher’s Solution: Leher ensures every drone operator is DGCA-certified and flies according to pre-approved SOPs. The farmer doesn't deal with any paperwork or legal process. There are trained partners who handle everything.
Technical Failures and Connectivity Glitches
Like any electronic system, drones are susceptible to technical issues, such as GPS drift, app errors, sensor failures, or controller disconnections.
Even a small error can ruin a spray job or cause mid-air failure.
In remote areas, a lack of signal may affect performance.
Leher’s Solution: All Leher drones include auto RTL (Return-to-Launch) on low battery or signal loss. Real-time flight tracking, spray logs, and battery monitoring via the dashboard enable early detection and recovery of issues.
Need for Skilled Operators and Data Interpretation
Drone spraying, mapping, or thermal imaging isn't plug-and-play. Operators must understand calibration, terrain mapping, and safe flying practices.
Poorly trained operators can cause safety hazards or crop damage.
Reading NDVI or moisture maps requires technical knowledge.
Leher’s Solution: Farmers can book experienced drone pilots through the Leher platform. No training is needed. For entrepreneurs, Leher provides structured onboarding, in-field training, and support to interpret spray and sensor data.
Privacy and Safety Concerns
Some farmers or nearby residents may feel uncomfortable when drones fly overhead, especially if they’re equipped with cameras.
Drones can inadvertently capture sensitive data or private activity.
Mishandling or crashes may harm people, animals, or property.
Leher’s Solution: Leher ensures that all drones operate within flight zones and follow strict SOPs that avoid capturing non-consensual footage. Routes are planned away from homes, and every pilot is trained in emergency protocols and drone insurance coverage.
Limited Payload and Range
Most agriculture drones have payload limits of 10–15 litres and can cover only a few acres per flight. Heavy payloads reduce flight time and may affect balance.
Large fields require multiple flights, increasing time and effort.
Variable seed or chemical mixes require calibration before each job.
Leher’s Solution: Leher drones are optimised for high-efficiency ULV spraying, allowing for better coverage with less volume. For large estates or multi-crop farms, Leher allocates multiple drones and coordinates them through the Spray Management System.
Facing the Challenges With Practical Workarounds
Drones come with limitations, but most of these challenges can be anticipated and addressed with proper training, planning, and the right support systems in place. That’s exactly what platforms like Leher offer: a technology backed by execution, expertise, and adaptability.
For farmers, drone entrepreneurs, and agribusinesses alike, this means you can enjoy the benefits of drone spraying without the headaches of ownership or compliance.
Also Read: Future of Agriculture: Key Technology Innovations
How Leher Makes Drone Spraying Simple, Scalable, and Effective?
Drones can spray faster, safer, and more precisely, but for many Indian farmers and agri-entrepreneurs, the real barrier is accessibility. That’s where Leher steps in, not just as a drone provider, but as a full-stack platform purpose-built for Indian farms.
From service booking to spray reports, Leher makes drone spraying practical for every crop and region. Here's how:
Easy Access Through App and WhatsApp: Farmers can book drone spraying directly through the Leher App or WhatsApp without any prior technical skills. The entire process is supported in multiple Indian languages with real-time status updates from booking to job completion.
Certified Pilots, No Paperwork for Farmers: Every spraying operation is handled by a trained, DGCA-certified pilot. Farmers don’t need to worry about documentation, licensing, or flight planning as Leher takes care of it all.
Real-Time Dashboards and Spray Reports: Leher’s system automatically generates spray heatmaps, flight logs, and per-acre input reports after every job. This ensures transparency, better decision-making, and full accountability for individuals, FPOs, and agri-corporates.
Proven Scale and Operational Reach: With over 35,000 acres already sprayed and a network of 2,200+ drone entrepreneurs, Leher is trusted across India—from tea estates in Assam to row crops in Maharashtra.
Business Tools for Drone Entrepreneurs: QR code-based payments, smart route optimisation, and in-app dashboards make it easy for drone partners to track operations, manage clients, and grow their service business efficiently.
Want Smarter Spraying Without the Hassle? Leher connects you to trained pilots, precision tech, and real-time reports, all in your preferred language. Whether you’re a farmer, FPO, or agri-entrepreneur, Leher makes drone spraying simple and scalable.
Download the Leher App (Google Play, Apple Store) today. Book your spray, save time, and achieve better yields with Leher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can agricultural drones be used for seeding or fertiliser application?
A. Yes, beyond spraying, advanced drones can also be equipped to broadcast seeds or granular fertilisers, especially for cover cropping or mid-season top-dressing. However, payload capacity and distribution mechanisms vary, so choosing the right drone is key.
Q. How do drones perform in densely planted or canopy-heavy crops?
A. Drones are particularly useful in such terrains. With adjustable altitude and directional spray control, they can reach under foliage and deliver inputs precisely, even in crops like rubber or sugarcane where ground access is limited.
Q. Is drone spraying suitable for small farms of less than 2 acres?
A. Absolutely. Many Leher partners serve fragmented landholdings by clustering nearby bookings. This ensures small and marginal farmers can also benefit from affordable drone services without owning the hardware.
Q. How does Leher ensure spray accuracy and accountability?
A. Every Leher operation is backed by automated GPS flight logs and spray heatmaps. These records reveal coverage, density, and areas that are missed, ensuring trust for both farmers and agri-enterprises.
Q. What if something goes wrong mid-flight?
A. Leher’s drones come with built-in failsafes like low-battery Return-to-Home (RTL) and communication-loss handling. Operators are trained to monitor live telemetry and can respond immediately using the Leher dashboard system.
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