The Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) and drone company AVPL International announced a partnership on Tuesday to start drone spraying operations over a vast 50 lakh acres, which spans eight states: Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. The collaboration aims to transform the way agricultural goods are distributed, perhaps increasing crop yields by up to 20% while also lessening their environmental effect.

In all targeted locations, the project will lead to a significant increase in agricultural sustainability and production. "We are thrilled to embark on this life-changing adventure with IFFCO.

Deep Sihag Sisai, Founder & Managing Director of AVPL International, stated, "Our goal is to use cutting-edge technology to revolutionize agriculture. With this partnership, we can provide millions of farmers with cutting-edge drone solutions, increasing productivity and supporting sustainable farming practices."

A strategic plan for the gradual deployment of drone spray operations, customized for various crops and terrains, is outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AVPL and IFFCO. This will ensure thorough and efficient coverage throughout the targeted acreage. Through the creative "drones as a service" (DAAS) concept, the alliance seeks to provide farmers with unparalleled access to cutting-edge drone technology.

The initiative, which is expected to cost more than $50 million and be supported by government subsidies, is expected to spur economic growth in rural areas and encourage innovative farming practices. This will open up new job opportunities in the field of drone maintenance and operations, according to AVPL.

The government's Namo Drone Didi program, which aims to increase women's financial autonomy and economic empowerment, has recently taught a number of rural women to use drones for agricultural reasons. The project intends to provide agricultural drones to 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to help with chores including seeding, fertilizer spraying, and crop monitoring.