The development and use of agricultural drones today have transformed farming practices. These advances and technological developments have ensured farmers with efficient, precise, and cost-effective solutions to manage various agricultural activities.
The adoption of drones in modern farming has enabled farmers to manage crops, monitor fields, spray, and analyze soil.
However, one of the major concerns for Indian farmers is understanding the different types of agricultural drones available. Gaining insights into these factors can help farmers make informed decisions and maximize the benefits of drone technology in agriculture.
Below is a detailed guide that provides insights into different types of agricultural drones, uses, and models available in India.
If it's about the most efficient for spraying and monitoring, drones are best for use on farms and agricultural lands. Here, we are mentioning the different types of drones;
The larger drones are specifically designed for agricultural operations that cover vast areas in less time. Such drones are well equipped with features like high-capacity tanks, advanced imaging technology, and smart sensors.
Specifications:
Payload capacity of more than 150 kg.
Large drones have more than 40 minutes flight time, which gives efficiency in covering larger areas for longer.
The coverage area measured with larger drones is around 10-20 acres per flight.
Camera features are advanced and high resolution (multispectral camera).
Best Use Case:
Ideally useful for large-scale farms and agricultural lands, use crops over a commercialized way.
Price Range:
Starting from INR 15 lakhs.
If budget is the certainty, then medium agricultural drones are quite good and helpful. They are helpful for medium-sized farms and lands, and have decent features and affordability.
Specifications:
Moderate payload capacity between 25-150 kg.
Medium-sized agricultural drones have a flight time of around 25-40 minutes.
The work efficiency is also good enough with a coverage area of 5-10 acres per flight.
Generally have infrared and multispectral featuring cameras.
Designed with GPS-enabled spraying technology.
Best Use Case:
Ideally used for medium-sized farms and lands for targeted spraying & monitoring operations.
Price Range:
INR 8-15 lakhs
Typically smaller in size, and that makes them lightweight. Small agricultural drones are perfect for small-scale farming. Although useful in spraying, it also helps monitor crops in smaller agricultural fields and farms.
Specifications:
Smaller drones share a payload capacity between 2-25 kilograms.
They ensure a flight time between 20-30 minutes.
The coverage area may be around 2-5 acres per flight.
Such small-sized drones have standard-quality cameras (normal HD) and thermal imaging options.
The spraying system is either manual or semi-automated.
Best Use Case:
Drones are used in small agricultural land, orchards, vineyards, and animal husbandry farms.
Price Range:
INR 4-8 lakhs.
To get improved monitoring, crop spraying, and control of agricultural operations, rotor drones are widely used. They have multiple rotors (quadcopters, hexacopters, etc). Such drones ensure stability and manoeuvrability.
Specifications:
They are multirotor drones.
Ensures high stability.
Easy to operate and control.
Precision spraying technology and sensors.
Best Use Case:
Ideal for diverse terrain agricultural lands for targeted spraying, crop health assessment, and monitoring.
Price Range:
Such Agricultural Spray drone prices may range between 4-20 lakhs.
Fixed-wing drones are preferred for their precision in spraying and extended flight time. They are even ideal for use in many agricultural operations.
Specifications:
The in-built design is with a fixed wing.
Ensures to give moderate stability.
Offers usability over take-off and landing space.
Useful for spraying but mostly picked for imaging, monitoring, and mapping of farms/agricultural lands.
Best Use Case:
Drones are best for covering large-scale agricultural land efficiently.
Price Range:
The cost may be between 8-15 lakhs.
While checking the best Agriculture Drone Prices in India, you must look at the most picked option as follows;
For advanced spraying and monitoring in farms, the Leher drones are quite suitable. It's a high-performing agricultural drone that meets the Indian farmer's needs, offering state-of-the-art technology features with precision spraying.
The drone is designed with advanced imaging technology and sensors for comprehensive crop analysis. This drone by Leher is efficient in flying up to 50 acres a day, offering a payload of 10kg. It shares a flight time of 20-30 minutes with a feature on low battery and low tank alarm.
The major cost difference in agricultural drones may vary because of factors like features, payload capacity, etc. However, the comparison also comes in popularity, brand, import duties, technological advancements, and manufacturing of agricultural drones in India, the USA, or other regions of the world. The general comparison between spraying or agricultural drones in India and the USA is as follows;
Agriculture Drones price in India: They may cost between $5,000 - $15,000
Agriculture Drones price in the USA: They may cost between $15,000 - $30,000.
Noteworthy is that drones manufactured in the USA are more expensive as they have high scalability and advanced integrated technology than drones made in India. However, the government ensures certain support programs to let farmers have efficiency on the cost of purchasing agricultural drones.
Selecting Agricultural Drones for modern farming isn't that easy when a lot of brands are available in the market. Here are the tips for choosing the right drone for your agricultural needs you have;
It's very important to determine the primary needs or use you have with agricultural drones like;
Crop monitoring and mapping.
Precision spraying of pesticides and fertilizers.
Soil and irrigation analysis.
Choose a drone that is designed with advanced technology features. The considerable specifications of any agricultural drone must include the following;
Extended battery life and flight time.
High imaging technology cameras and sensors.
Automation of flight modes and RTK GPS.
Highly durable and weather resistant.
Explore the popular drone brands.
Choose the drone that comes within your expected budget.
When it comes to a revolution in the agricultural sector today, the use of drones has enhanced farmers’ productivity. The improved working and lower man-labor tasks for spraying and monitoring agricultural lands and crops enhance the yields. It even helped farmers to get precision and cost-effectiveness.
Whether you have a small farm for personal use or a more significant sized agricultural land for commercial cropping, investing in drones is access to top-tier technology in advanced farming. Before you get one, check on the Agricultural Spray Drone Price to ensure smarter drone investment for your farm.
