The use of drones in agriculture is becoming more common in recent times due to their many benefits in the long run. Farmers are increasingly making use of drones from crop monitoring to spraying fertiliser or pesticides.
In 2024, more than 3000 drones have been used by Indian farmers to spray pesticides as well as for aerial imaging. Hence it significantly improves the efficiency of crop management.
As the need for agriculture drones increases, the demand for agriculture drone pilot jobs also grows. Hence, more people are looking for exciting career opportunities as drone pilots.
Here, we have covered everything for you, from top agriculture drone pilot jobs in India to knowing about this industry more!
Get ready to explore the growing opportunities in the more evolving industry!
One of the career options that is growing in India is the agriculture drone pilot. It is so true that many farmers are switching to agricultural drones from their traditional farming methods to increase yields.
So, if you want to become an agricultural drone pilot in India, here are some things you should consider.
Professional operation of agricultural drones requires a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) issued by the DGCA. You should have a solid foundation of drone safety protocols, flight operations as well as regulations after obtaining this certification.
You will acquire the necessary skills through training programs approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
An excellent knowledge of agricultural technology, GIS mapping, and drone software is necessary in addition to certification. Knowing how to analyse crop health, automate spraying, and data processing will give you a competitive advantage in precision farming.
What makes a good pilot is not how much time you spend in the classroom but rather how much time you spend flying. You can improve your job prospects by receiving training in soil analysis, pesticide spraying or aerial crop monitoring. To broaden your knowledge, consider participating in seminars or internships offered by agritech companies.
Drone technology is transforming Indian agriculture, and you can join this growing industry with the right training and certifications.
Government jobs provide excellent prospects for agricultural drone pilots who are looking for a stable career with a competitive salary. These are a few of the best choices for agriculture drone jobs
When it comes to precision agriculture, ICAR is leading the way in the use of drones for research as well as operation. Here, drone pilots help with soil evaluations or crop health analysis.
Salary Range: ₹4-7 LPA
The use of drones in precision farming, soil monitoring or land surveys is being adopted by many state agricultural departments. In these roles, you will be collaborating closely with agritech initiatives or farmers.
Salary Range: ₹3.5-6 LPA
KVKs are committed to training programs that educate farmers, analyse irrigation data or use drones for pest management. The role of the pilots is to implement new technologies at the grassroots level.
Salary Range: ₹3-5.5 LPA
Agriculture drone pilots are finding plenty of jobs in the private sector because of the rapid growth of agritech adoption in India. Here are some of the private sector hiring drone pilots.
Many fast-growing startups are using drones for crop monitoring or precision farming. These businesses provide data collection, drone operations or farm advisory services.
Salary Range: ₹3.5- 10LPA
Drone pilots are in high demand by leading drone makers who use them for product demos, training or testing. These companies give opportunities for hands-on exposure to advanced drone technology.
Salary Range: ₹4- 12LPA
Drones are finding use in pesticide spraying, seed distribution or soil health analysis. These roles involve working directly with farmers to improve efficiency in the agriculture sector.
Salary Range: ₹4- 12LPA
If you prefer flexibility, you can start freelancing as an agricultural drone pilot.
With the growing demand for precision farming, you can offer services like crop monitoring or pest detection. It is an opportunity that requires very little investment but has the potential to grow.
Are you looking for ways to start your journey as a drone entrepreneur? Leher drone entrepreneurship programs make it easy for you with guaranteed earnings!
Leher is a leading platform for drone spraying in Indian agriculture. They are making advanced technology accessible to farmers while creating opportunities for skilled drone operators.
By partnering with Leher, you can take an agriculture drone for rent without the need to buy an expensive drone. Leher helps pilots rent high-quality agri drones in addition to connecting them with farming projects.
With expert guidance, Leher helps you turn your skills into a profitable business.
Leher takes care of finding clients by connecting you with farmers who are in need of drone services.
It helps partners in rural areas to become drone pilots, which increases their income as well as makes farming more efficient.
You can help improve crop health or decrease chemical waste by providing precise spraying solutions.
As a freelancer or Leher drone partner, you can earn more depending on service demand along with the coverage area.
If you're looking to become an agriculture drone pilot in India, here are the 5 best institutes that offer specialised training.
IGRUA offers DGCA-certified drone instructor courses, the country's leading flight training institution under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
With a special focus on safety, IID trains experienced pilots as well as aerospace engineers in drone operations which is based in Andhra Pradesh.
This institution offers excellent training in Unmanned Aerial Systems, including interactive simulator sessions as well as custom drone building. It has campuses in Hyderabad & Mumbai.
The Chennai-based MaxTorq provides plenty of courses to meet the demands of different industries, from basic drone operations to advanced UAV engineering.
This Telangana-based institution provides comprehensive drone training programs that are DGCA-approved.
The agricultural drone jobs in India have a promising future. The need for skilled drone operators will only increase as a result of the government's efforts to encourage their use, such as the Drone Shakti program, in addition to the subsidies for agricultural drones.
More openings in precision agriculture, crop monitoring, or pesticide spraying will come up as the smart farming trend gets more popular.
A new career path is taking shape as farmers, as well as agribusinesses, realise the advantages of drones in increasing yields and decreasing expenses.
Undoubtedly, the future is more promising for agriculture drone professionals in India. If you are looking for a career in agri-tech, now is the perfect time to start!
