Agriculture & precision farming to drive largest demand for drones in India by 2030: Report

New Delhi: Fuelled by the rising demand from booming sectors such as defence, agriculture, logistics, and infrastructure, the drone industry is expected to boost the country’s manufacturing potential to USD 23 billion by 2030. As drones emerge as a key component of modern warfare strategies, India’s Operation Sindoor in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack has marked a notable shift in the country’s adoption of drones. The Government of India has announced several initiatives aimed at increasing the accessibility and affordability of drones nationwide.

The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, Kisan Drone Scheme, and Drone Didi (Namo Drone Didi) Scheme are set to revolutionise how drones are utilised in diverse sectors, particularly in agriculture and defence. A recent survey by Nexgen revealed that 40% of drone companies believe that agriculture and precision farming are anticipated to drive the largest demand for drones in India by 2030, following the defence sector. Estimates suggest the global agricultural drones market size will reach $5.89 billion by 2030.

In its endeavour to further support this momentum, Delhi is hosting the largest Drone International Expo 2025, scheduled for July 31 to August 1, 2025. Organised by Nexgen Exhibitions, the Drone International Expo 2025 is showcasing the latest innovations from over 6 countries, including Russia, Taiwan , Canada , Ukraine, India . Over 50 national and international Drone manufacturers, including GA Telecommunications Pvt. Ltd. / SRB Group ,  Winmate Inc. – Taiwan, Nautical Wings Aerospace, The ePlane Company, Zen Technologies , Tonbo Imaging Pvt Ltd ,Vyom Drones Pvt Ltd, Carbon Light Pvt Ltd, Dream Fly Innovations  , Aeroscan Technology , ATC Energies, Times Microwave Systems , Sudarshan Techno Solution (P). Ltd. , Ninetron Tech ,  Altem Technologies Pvt. Ltd. , Micro Instruments co. ,Philips Machine Tools , Zepco Technologies Pvt. Ltd. , Vyom OS Pvt Ltd. etc , are showcasing their product innovations at the expo.

 The survey was conducted in over 15 cities, where 150 companies participated to share their insights on how drones are revolutionising India’s agriculture sector. 25% of the respondents highlighted that precision spraying & seeding through drones will benefit Indian agriculture the most. As India is embracing innovative and sustainable agricultural practices, agricultural drones are emerging as one of the most effective technologies in the sector. These drones are not just airborne; they are enhancing farming efficiency with increased speed, safety, and intelligence. The automated distribution of fertilisers, pesticides, and nutrients marks a significant advancement in Indian agriculture. These applications are reducing the use of chemicals, thus promoting safer agricultural practices and minimising human exposure to harmful substances.

Aadhar Bansal, Director, Nexgen Exhibitions said, “Through this survey, we aim to explore how drones are revolutionising various sectors in India and contributing to the government’s ambitious vision of making India a global drone hub. The entire world has witnessed the impressive capabilities of drones during Operation Sindoor. I firmly believe that adopting indigenous drones will strengthen the Make in India initiative and contribute to national prosperity across multiple sectors.”

Drones are also benefiting the agricultural sector by providing surveillance against crop theft and wildlife intrusion. 20% of the respondents believe that drones will create a boom in rural India in the next 5 years by enhancing smart agriculture in the region. The government of India’s Namo Drone Didi will further strengthen this adaptation by providing subsidies of 80% of the cost of agricultural drones purchased by the self-help groups.

15% of the respondents believe that the logistics and infrastructure sector is also contributing immensely to this shift. The sector is poised to redefine delivery systems to navigate the challenges faced by traditional methods. Drones have the potential to deliver packages efficiently and swiftly, bypassing traffic and difficult terrains. Companies are increasingly leveraging drone deliveries to cut operational costs and provide 24/7 service. This innovation isn’t limited to logistics; the infrastructure sector is also benefiting. Drones are being utilised to inspect construction sites and bridges, offering high-resolution imagery that helps identify potential issues early. This proactive method enhances safety and reduces maintenance costs, signalling a new era in efficiency for both delivery services and infrastructure monitoring.

The Drone International Expo 2025 aims to overcome the barriers to the adoption of drones in agriculture and farming, particularly in rural areas, with the help of cutting-edge drone technologies. The expo will highlight innovative solutions from leading drone manufacturers, emphasising advancements in agricultural technologies.