Indian farmers have primarily relied on traditional ways to spray fertilisers for a long time. They use backpack sprayers or tractor-mounted ones for bigger farms.
Backpack sprayers are an affordable option for small farms. But they take a lot of time, or sometimes they don’t spread fertilisers evenly. Tractor sprayers are faster, but they are expensive to buy & maintain. Undoubtedly, there is a lot of fertiliser waste with both methods.
The health of farmers is also at risk from prolonged exposure to pesticides. That's where precision agriculture comes in.
Precision agriculture using drones is transforming agricultural operations. Smart drones can spray fertilisers more accurately. This saves more time & money in the long run.
Let's explore how switching to fertiliser spraying drones can benefit Indian farmers when compared to traditional methods.
Most farmers in India still use tractors or human labour to spray fertiliser. Traditional methods can be effective, but they come with hidden costs.
Let's break down the real expenses behind manual & tractor spraying to help you see why it might be time to rethink how fertilisers are applied on the farm.
Manual fertiliser spraying is mainly done using handheld backpack sprayers in India. They are typically priced between ₹1,000 and ₹13,000.
The affordability makes them more popular among small or marginal farmers. The real cost lies in the labour, while the equipment is cheap. Pay rates for agricultural labourers vary significantly from one state to another.
Consider that a backpack sprayer can only cover around 0.072 hectares in an hour. So, spraying just one hectare could take nearly 14 hours for one person. It is clear that manual spraying seems affordable upfront, but adds up over time.
It is often believed that tractor-mounted sprayers are a more efficient alternative to hand spraying for farmers managing larger fields. Basic tractor sprayers start around ₹7,000. The high-end boom sprayers can cost over ₹7.28 lakh.
Considering that the boom sprayer attachment alone might cost up to 1.10 lakh rupees or more. Tractors typically use about 0.4 to 8.9 litres of diesel per hectare. The fuel costs can range from ₹36 to ₹800 per hectare at ₹90 per litre.
Using one operator for around an hour reduces labour expenses than manual spraying. The long-term costs are increased due to the need for frequent service or maintenance.
Let's break down how much it costs to own or hire a drone for fertiliser spraying. Here is a clear look at the prices from purchase to rental charges of fertiliser spraying drones.
The basic agricultural drones can start as low as ₹3 lakh. It may cost around ₹15 lakh if you're looking for advanced features or a larger spray capacity.
The payload capacity is an essential aspect when it comes to drone pricing. For example, small drones carry just 5-10 litres, which is ideal for small farms. The bigger drones can carry up to 50 litres, which is perfect for larger fields.
Choosing the right drone by balancing price with how much it can carry & how much land you want to cover efficiently.
More farmers are now turning to drone spraying services as an alternative to buying their drones. The cost of drone spraying services typically ranges from ₹300 to ₹700 per acre.
Renting a drone to spray crops may seem more expensive than manual spraying, but it can be more efficient. Drone spraying offers better precision & uniform coverage than traditional methods. This results in healthier crops as well as less fertiliser waste.
Hiring a drone can be even cheaper than using tractors. The total cost of tractor-spraying an acre might reach ₹1,500 when you include fuel & labour. Drone hiring could offer a solid balance of price & efficiency.
Aspect
Manual Spraying
Tractor-Based Spraying
Drone Spraying
Initial Cost
Low (₹1,000- ₹13,000 for sprayers)
Moderate to High (₹7,000- ₹7.28 lakh)
High (₹3 lakh- ₹15 lakh+ for purchase) or hire (₹300- ₹700/acre)
Labour Requirement
High
Medium (1-2 operators)
Low (1 operator for remote control; fast coverage)
Energy Use
None, as it relies on manual effort
High (diesel cost per hectare)
Low (battery-operated; electricity costs for charging)
Spray Coverage/Speed
Slow (0.072 hectares/hour)
Faster (1 hectare/hour)
Fastest (5-10 hectares/hour or more)
Application Accuracy
Often uneven, with the risk of overspraying/underspraying
More consistent than manual, but still prone to overlap
High precision with uniform coverage
Health & Safety
Risk of chemical exposure for workers
Safer than manual, but operators are still exposed
Safest, as there is minimal human contact with chemicals
Suitability by Farm Size
Best for small farms
Suitable for medium to large farms
Ideal for all sizes
Maintenance Needs
Low
High (tractor & sprayer upkeep)
Moderate (regular drone servicing & software updates)
Environmental Impact
Higher waste/runoff potential
Moderate waste
Low waste, efficient & targeted spraying
Cost per Acre (Approx.)
₹292-₹1,500 (depending on region/wages)
₹500-₹1,500 (including fuel/labour/maintenance)
₹300- ₹700 (hiring); more if purchased
Fertiliser spraying drones can reduce labour expenses as well as save a lot of time. Drones can spray one acre in just 5 to 10 minutes.
According to studies, drones can cover over 10 acres each hour, whereas human sprayers can cover just 0.2 acres per hour.
Farmers are seeing a 30-50% decrease in labour expenses due to the efficiency of drones. Drones also provide constant coverage in areas that are difficult for tractors or people to access.
Fertiliser spraying drones are more cost-effective than human or tractor-based methods due to their higher accuracy in applying fertilisers. Drones spray only where needed, cutting down on overlaps & preventing fertiliser from drifting into the wrong areas.
Farmers using drones have seen a 40% drop in fertiliser waste.
Traditional methods can waste as much as 50%, with fertiliser droplets missing the target entirely. This accuracy using drones leads to real savings. Drones also help the planet by reducing chemical runoff.
Fertiliser spraying drones are helping Indian farmers to improve crop yields through more accurate application. Drones ensure that the right amount of fertiliser reaches the right place at the right moment.
Farmers have reported yields increased by up to 30% after switching to drone spraying.
Drones provide uniform coverage even under challenging terrains that traditional sprayers often fail to achieve. They also spot early signs of stress or pests, so farmers can act fast to save their crops.
Fertiliser spraying drones can be a wise investment for farmers looking to save money or increase efficiency. You may save a lot of money in the long run, even if the upfront investment is higher.
You also don't always need to buy a drone to get the benefits. You can rent an agricultural drone from a reliable partner like Leher.
The drone is not just for saving money. It helps farmers to be smarter rather than harder.
