Garuda Aerospace on Thursday announced that it has secured an order of a total of 500 Garuda Kisan Drones from 10 leading fertiliser companies under the NaMo Drone Didi scheme.
Given its precision capabilities, Kisan drones can reduce the quantity of pesticides used in addition to eliminating long exposures to harmful chemicals.
Kisan drones are equipped with AI, ML and GPS sensors to help farmers with accurate and real-time information about their crops and farms.
The drones also reduce the use of water and are equipped to cover large farming areas in a relatively shorter time. They can help to increase crop yield by 60 percent and reduce loss of crop by 20 percent.
“The order of 500 Kisan drones is a win for us as a company as well as the agriculture economy. It will improve efficiency and enable farmers to harness the numerous benefits of this revolutionary technology. We are confident that this partnership with the 10 fertiliser companies under the NaMo Drone Didi scheme will go a long way,” Garuda Aerospace Founder and CEO Agnishwar Jayaparakash said.
Announced in December 2023, the NAMO Drone Didi scheme helps women become integral stakeholders of their local farming supply chains and rural prosperity.
Garuda Aerospace has successfully trained over 185 rural women under this scheme since its launch.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off Garuda Aerospace’s Kisan Drone Yatra by simultaneously launching 100 drones across 100 Indian villages.
The Yatra aimed to create awareness and democratise the use of drones and drone technology within the agriculture sector.
Backed by ex-Test cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni who is an investor and brand ambassador in the startup, Garuda Aerospace raised Rs 25 crore in a bridge round in October 2023 and is currently preparing for its IPO in 2024.
Companies placing orders are National Fertilizers Limited (NFL), Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF), The Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT), Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL), KRIBHCO Fertilizers, Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals (GSFC).
Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation (BVFCL), Matix Fertilizers & Chemicals, Paradeep Phosphates (PPL), and Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers (MCF) are among the 10 companies that also have placed orders.
