Madhya Pradesh Citrus Farmers Revolutionize Spraying with Drones – You Won’t Believe the Results!

In a remarkable display of innovation and determination, Manoj Hingve, a 37-year-old generational farmer from Chhindwada district, Madhya Pradesh, has transformed his family’s orange and cotton farming business by embracing drone technology to tackle the pressing challenges faced by farmers. With the help of Marut Drone's Drone as a Service (DAAS) initiative, Ashish has brought a technological revolution to his community, significantly improving farm productivity while reducing costs and health risks associated with traditional farming methods.

Manoj is one of the first farmers in the district to embrace drone technology. 11 months ago, he proposed the idea of adopting drones to the Farmer Produce Organization (FPO) he is associated with. Understanding the challenges farmers face, especially with labor-intensive tasks like precision spraying, Manoj decided to take the initiative and bridge the gap between traditional farming methods and modern technology.

In Chhindwada, where orange trees can grow as tall as 15 feet, manual pesticide spraying has traditionally been both challenging and inefficient. With the use of Marut Drones' technology, and the support of the Madhya Pradesh government’s 75% subsidy, Manoj has made the process seamless, faster, and far more effective. His success has drawn attention from neighboring villages, where farmers now rely on his expertise to spray their crops. He introduced Drone as a Service (DAAS) which allows farmers to access high-quality drone services for a nominal fee of Rs. 400-500 per acre and is spraying up to 5-6 acres daily, significantly lower than traditional spraying methods.

He has gone a step further by offering "Drone as a Service" to nearby farmers, charging an affordable rate of ₹400 per acre and spraying up to 5-6 acres daily. With support from the 75% subsidy provided by the Madhya Pradesh state government, farmers in the region have access to drone services without the financial burden of purchasing drones themselves.

The Challenge:

1. Cost: Rs. 900/hour for a tractor and an additional Rs. 400 per acre for 3-4 laborers, totaling Rs. 1500-1600 per acre.
2. Health Hazards: Manual spraying often involves carrying heavy fertilizer cans, leading to physical strain and serious skin infections for laborers.

The benefits of spraying using drones include:

1. Cost Efficiency: Reduced spraying costs with improved precision and coverage.
2. Health Benefits: Elimination of manual spraying’s physical toll on laborers.
3. High ROI: Farmers, especially those cultivating orange and cotton, have reported increased savings and productivity.

Empowering Local Farmers through DAAS:

“The conventional methods of spraying were not only cumbersome but also expensive,” says Manoj Hingve. “Using drones has significantly reduced costs and improved efficiency, allowing farmers to manage crops like oranges and cotton more effectively. In the past 11 months, I have not only recovered my investment but also created an impact across nearby villages.”

In just 2-3 months of offering this service, Manoj has seen a tangible impact. Farmers have embraced the convenience of DAAS without the financial burden of owning and maintaining drones. Motivated by the lack of drone pilots in the region, Manoj trained himself to operate drones and chose Marut Drones for their reliability and efficient maintenance services.

Manoj’s success story highlights the transformative power of drones in Indian agriculture, reducing manual effort, saving costs, and ensuring greater precision in farming. His efforts have inspired other farmers to adopt modern practices, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient agricultural ecosystem.

As the Indian government pushes for self-reliance (atmanirbharta) and widespread adoption of drone technology, success stories like Manoj Hingve’s underscore the immense potential of drones to revolutionize farming and empower rural communities.