Earlier, spraying one acre took about 4 hours. Now, drones can do that in just 5 minutes. That means spraying 50 acres can now be done in one day. Farmers across India are turning to drones to save time, reduce chemical waste, and grow healthier crops with less effort.
India remains one of the world’s largest and most varied food producers. Agriculture accounts for more than 20 percent of its income, so improvements here ripple across the economy.
New technology in agriculture is making this possible. Drones and sensors help you work smarter, save resources, and increase output. Drone spraying, for example, reduces labour and chemical waste dramatically.
This blog explores the top tech trends changing farming today and how they can benefit you.
Why India Needs Agri-Tech Now?
India’s agricultural productivity still lags behind global leaders. However, if India adopts new agrarian technologies, at least a 50% yield increase is possible. So, there is great room for improvement.
Many farms lack skilled workers, making it difficult to complete tasks like spraying and harvesting on time. This slows down operations and impacts crop quality.
Unpredictable rainfall and temperature swings disrupt planting and harvesting schedules. Farmers must adapt quickly, which is difficult without precise data and support.
This is why traditional spraying methods often apply more chemicals than needed. This wastes resources, harms the environment, and raises costs for farmers and businesses.
The need for precision and sustainable farming has become urgent.
New technology in agriculture can address these issues by improving efficiency and reducing waste, helping farms become more productive and eco-friendly.
3 Benefits of Adopting New Technologies in Agriculture
Adopting new technology in agriculture offers more than just modern tools; it transforms how farming gets done.
Here are three benefits:
Substantial Reduction in Input Wastage
Precision technologies, like drone spraying, significantly reduce pesticide and fertilizer use. In some cases, this technique reduces chemical usage costs by 70%. This approach provides better results than traditional spraying. Such innovations also help create healthier crops and more sustainable farming practices overall.
Improved Crop Health and Disease Control
Sensors detect diseases before symptoms appear, helping avoid crop losses. This timely intervention prevents crop loss and maintains quality.
Faster Return on Investment and Better Profitability
Automation and data-driven farming reduce labour and resource expenses. These benefits help farmers earn back their money faster, so they can invest more and grow their farms in a better way.
Read More: Top Agriculture Drone Pilot Jobs in India
Top 10 New Technologies in Agriculture
The farming sector is witnessing rapid change thanks to modern technologies. These advances help increase efficiency. Here are ten new technologies in agriculture trends making a big impact:
Drone Technology in Agriculture
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture
Internet of Things (IoT) for Smart Farming
Remote Sensing Technology
Big Data & Farm Analytics
Agri Robotics & Automation
Vertical & Hydroponic Farming
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Renewable Energy in Agriculture
Blockchain for Agri Supply Chains
Drone Technology in Agriculture
Thanks to drones, farming is seeing a big shift. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can spray crops, watch over fields from above, and collect useful farm data.
They help farmers cover large fields faster than traditional methods.
A recent study shows drone spraying can reduce the time spent from four hours to just five minutes per field. The use of drones has reduced pesticide usage by 25%.
Leher connects farmers with certified drone operators through a simple app booking system. Their drone spraying services provide precision and efficiency, saving costs and improving yield quality.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture
Artificial Intelligence is changing how farms operate by processing large volumes of data to provide actionable insights. AI supports pest detection, yield forecasting, and timing for sowing and harvesting.
These tools reduce guesswork, helping farmers save costs and improve productivity. For instance, AI-driven predictive analytics can identify pest risks early, lowering the need for excessive pesticides.
AI in agriculture is projected to grow at a CAGR of 23.1% by 2028, showing its rising importance worldwide. Key Benefits of AI in Agriculture:
Predictive Pest and Disease Management: AI models analyse climate, crop health, and pest patterns to predict outbreaks early. This leads to timely interventions and reduced crop losses.
Yield and Resource Forecasting: AI algorithms combine historical data with real-time inputs to accurately forecast crop yields. This helps farmers plan better and manage resources efficiently.
Optimised Farm Operations: With smart technology, farmers can know the right time to sow, water, and harvest, which helps grow more crops.
Internet of Things (IoT) for Smart Farming
IoT technology connects sensors, devices, and equipment on farms to collect and share real-time data. Sensors monitor soil moisture, humidity, temperature, and weather conditions continuously. This data gives farmers immediate insights into how to manage crops and irrigation precisely.
Key Benefits of IoT in Agriculture:
Precise Soil Monitoring: Soil sensors track moisture levels at different depths, allowing targeted irrigation that conserves water and boosts crop health.
Real-Time Equipment Tracking: IoT enables farmers to monitor machinery status and performance remotely, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Weather and Climate Monitoring: Connected weather stations help predict rainfall and temperature changes, enabling proactive crop management decisions.
Remote Sensing Technology
Remote sensing uses satellite data and UAVs to monitor crop health and soil conditions. Farmers gain valuable insights for effective crop planning and irrigation management by analysing plant stress indicators. This technology
Helps detect early signs of drought or disease, allowing timely intervention that can save entire harvests.
Enables more efficient water use by identifying areas needing irrigation, which can significantly reduce water wastage.
Supports sustainable farming by remotely monitoring nutrient deficiencies and plant diseases, improving overall yield and resource management.
Big Data & Farm Analytics
Big data in agriculture involves collecting and analysing vast amounts of information from multiple sources.
These include crop health, weather patterns, soil conditions, and market trends. This information helps farmers and agribusinesses make smarter decisions, improving productivity and profitability.
It collects information from sensors, satellites, and farm devices to give a full picture of what’s happening on the farm.
Integrates weather and market data to help farmers plan sales and reduce losses.
The Indian agri-tech sector, valued at a US$24 billion opportunity, is growing fast. This growth is powered by AI, IoT, and data analytics, focusing on practical, user-friendly tools that help smallholder farmers.
Agri Robotics & Automation
Agricultural robotics includes machines like harvesting robots and weeding bots. These robots automate labour-intensive tasks, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Although still new in India, these technologies are gradually gaining ground.
Harvesting robots can pick fruits and vegetables with precision, reducing crop damage and speeding up harvest cycles. This boosts productivity and lowers reliance on seasonal labour.
Weeding bots use AI and sensor technology to differentiate weeds from crops. This targeted weeding reduces the use of herbicides, promoting sustainable farming and lowering chemical costs.
The integration of robotics reduces human fatigue and error, improving overall farm safety and quality control.
Looking to take your farm automation to the next level? Try Leher’s precision drone spraying service that cuts costs, reduces chemical usage, and boosts yields.
Vertical & Hydroponic Farming
Vertical and hydroponic farming represent innovative ways to grow crops in urban and peri-urban areas. These methods use controlled environment agriculture (CEA) techniques to maximise space and resource efficiency, producing fresh produce year-round.
Vertical farming stacks crops vertically in controlled indoor environments, reducing land use and allowing cultivation close to city centres. This cuts transportation costs and spoilage.
Hydroponic systems grow plants in nutrient-rich water without soil, allowing faster growth and higher yields with less water usage compared to traditional farming.
CEA controls temperature, humidity, and light, helping crops grow in any season and improving food security in urban settings.
These methods help use less pesticide, protect the environment, and make farming greener and healthier for the future. Urban farms also create local jobs and promote fresh, chemical-free produce for growing city populations.
Here are 5 notable Indian companies leveraging vertical and hydroponic farming:
Farmizen: Focuses on urban organic farming, including hydroponics, enabling consumers to grow their produce sustainably in limited spaces.
Kheyti: Known for its “Greenhouse-in-a-Box” solution, Kheyti supports controlled environment farming for smallholder farmers, including hydroponic systems.
HydroGreen: Specialises in hydroponic farm systems for fresh vegetable production, serving urban markets across India.
eeki: Builds climate-controlled, soil-less growing chambers that enable year-round vegetable production with minimal water and no pesticides.
UrbanKisaan: Offers hydroponic kits and tech-enabled indoor farming solutions, allowing consumers and businesses to grow clean, fresh food in small urban spaces.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
GIS technology plays a crucial role in modern farming. It provides detailed spatial data that helps farmers make better decisions about their land.
It helps mark exact farm areas using GPS, so farmers know which parts are best for certain crops based on soil, land height, and weather.
This information lets farmers pick the right crops for each area, helping them grow more and waste less.
GIS insights help farmers monitor crop health over time and allocate resources such as water and fertilisers more efficiently.
This precision reduces environmental impact and improves sustainability.
Renewable Energy in Agriculture
Renewable energy technologies are becoming essential for Indian agriculture, providing cost-effective and sustainable power solutions.
Solar-powered water pumps are being used more instead of diesel engines. This saves money on fuel and helps keep the air clean.
The Punjab Energy Development Authority (PEDA) has been tasked with an ambitious goal: installing 20,000 solar-powered agricultural pumps across the state. This initiative aims to support farmers while promoting environmental sustainability.
Biomass energy comes from leftover crop materials and can be used for heating and power on farms. Wind energy projects in villages also provide local power, helping with watering crops and storing produce.
Blockchain for Agri Supply Chains
Transparency and traceability are becoming crucial in agriculture. Blockchain technology offers a secure, tamper-proof ledger that tracks every step from farm to fork. This helps reduce fraud, ensure product authenticity, and build trust with buyers and consumers alike.
Farmers and exporters benefit from clear records of product origin and quality. This is especially important for organic produce, where certification and compliance matter significantly.
Blockchain can verify claims instantly, helping Indian farmers access premium markets globally.
In addition, blockchain simplifies supply chains by reducing paperwork and delays. Smart contracts automate payments and delivery schedules, improving cash flow for all stakeholders.
As India’s agri-exports grow, blockchain adoption will likely increase to meet international standards.
How Leher Makes Agri-Tech Work for Farmers?
Leher connects farmers with certified drone operators to deliver precise Spraying Services for pesticides and fertilisers.
Our mobile app allows easy booking, scheduling, and payment, simplifying access to drone technology. With Leher’s precise drone services, you will be able to:
Spray 50 acres in one day
Increase productivity up to 50%, depending on the right time period
Reduce costs up to 30%
Through the Drone Partner Program, rural entrepreneurs receive training and support to operate drones, creating new income opportunities. This practical approach helps farmers reduce chemical waste and labour while improving crop health.
Also Read: A Complete Guide on Agriculture Drone- Application & How to Use?
Wrapping Up
Farming today faces many challenges. Using new technology in agriculture helps improve yields, save costs, and protect the environment. Tools like drones, data analytics, and smart platforms are already changing how farming happens in India.
If you want to bring these benefits to your business and the farmers you work with, it’s time to take the next step.
Let’s Grow Together!
Interested in drone spraying solutions? Connect with us today.
