Sharing a visionary journey of transforming Indian agriculture through advanced drone technology, Preet Sandhuu, Founder & MD of AVPL International highlights the ‘Make in India’ mission empowering rural farmers, fostering innovation, and creating a sustainable future with Neha Basudkar Ghate, Consulting Editor at Machine Edge Global. Ms Sandhuu delves into AVPL’s groundbreaking work in drone manufacturing, strategic global partnerships, and the development of ‘smart villages’, showcasing how technology can revolutionize traditional practices and uplift rural communities.
How does AVPL International aim to redefine the Indian agricultural landscape with drone technology, and what is your vision for transforming rural agricultural workers into ‘Smart Farmers’ while addressing the key challenges in this journey?
To redefine the Indian Agricultural sector, AVPL International is integrating advanced drone technology into farming practices to boost productivity and sustainability. It’s made possible for us to reach the root level by partnering with various organizations like NSDC (National Skill Development Council), IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited), and Ahamani Advanced Inc. AVPL International focuses on equipping rural farmers with the skills and tools needed to utilize drones for crop spraying, monitoring, and data-driven farming techniques. The vision revolves around capacity building, skill development, and the adoption of innovative technologies like AI, IoT, and drones.
By introducing tailored training programs and internationally recognized certifications, farmers get digital literacy which enables them to move beyond traditional methods. These initiatives help our farmers to embrace data-driven decision-making and turn smart by accessing technology that not only improves efficiency but also opens up new revenue streams.
The key challenge in this journey is to bridge the digital divide and to foster a mindset that sees farming as a protable and tech-driven business. This can only be achieved by working on grassroot level to ensure the accessibility of these technologies in remote areas. We at AVPL International work constantly to overcome these challenges by collaborating with like-minded organizations. This approach ensures that rural communities are not only equipped with modern tools but also motivated to embrace a future where technology and tradition work hand in hand to achieve sustainable growth.
What kind of innovative technologies are you incorporating into your drones to address critical agricultural challenges like crop health, weather unpredictability, and soil quality, and how are you ensuring that your drone manufacturing processes remain scalable and affordable for small and marginal farmers? Additionally, are there any upcoming innovations in AVPL’s agri-drones or services that align with these goals and particularly excite you?
We are committed to use technology to address critical agricultural challenges and empower farmers. Our agri-drones are equipped with advanced tools like infrared sensors for precise crop health analysis, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors for accurate field mapping, drone-planting systems, to ensure optimized soil quality and productivity. Using these innovations farmers make data-driven decisions that not only improves crop yields, but also mitigate the risks posed by unpredictable weather conditions. To make these technologies accessible to all farmers, we use scalable manufacturing processes & cost-effective solutions to ensure affordability with quality.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the integration of advanced IoT and AI-driven robotics into our agri-drones. These upcoming innovations will enhance the overall productivity altogether with leveled-up smarter tools to monitor and manage their fields. This next phase of technology infusion represents a significant leap forward in our mission to revolutionize agriculture and create a more sustainable and prosperous future for the farming community.
Could you elaborate on the signicance of establishing AVPL’s ₹15 crore drone manufacturing unit in Bihar and its potential to transform the region’s industrial landscape, while also ensuring that the employment opportunities generated benet local communities across northern states? Additionally, what steps is AVPL taking to scale its manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demand for drones in India and beyond?
The investment of our ₹15 crore drone manufacturing unit in Bihar is a transformative initiative that will prove the region’s potential to become a key hub in India’s high-tech manufacturing landscape. By setting up the facility in the Bihta Industrial Area, AVPL International is not only tapping into Bihar’s industrial growth prospects but also aligning with the government’s ‘Make in India’ vision, which emphasizes local manufacturing. This unit, spreading across 16,000 sq. ft., is set to produce up to 24,000 drones annually. The project represents a strategic move to modernize agricultural practices that enable farmers in northern states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha to optimize crop management, enhance yields, and reduce costs.
Beyond the technological impact, the facility will create around 10,000 job opportunities, benefiting local communities by preventing migration and empowering rural youth. This effort is part of a broader wave of investments in Bihar’s IT and manufacturing sectors. The state government anticipates it will lead to a 70% boost in employment, directly and indirectly. AVPL International’s Drone as a Service (DaaS) model, with the current network of over 70 Skill and Incubation Hubs, AVPL International plans for global expansion into markets such as Brazil, Australia, and Spain highlight the company’s vision of positioning India as a leader in drone technology.
How has AVPL’s involvement in government initiatives like the Namo Didi Drone Scheme contributed to promoting youth empowerment and fostering rural development. Additionally, what challenges and opportunities have you encountered while collaborating with government programs to advance drone technology in agriculture and beyond?
We are proud to participate in government initiatives like the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, which align with our mission to drive rural development. These programs help us connect with local communities, address grassroots challenges, and promote women’s entrepreneurship in drone technology. While our business model extends beyond government collaborations, such initiatives have definitely amplified our impact and enabled us to gain valuable community support.
The scheme presents both challenges and opportunities. Educating participants, particularly women, on utilizing drones as a service post-training and breaking societal barriers around women exploring fields is a key hurdle. However, we are addressing the challenges through targeted awareness campaigns and lead generation efforts. Along with challenges comes lots of opportunities to drive awareness and foster innovation among rural communities to benefit drone technology for growth.
What strategic benefits does the MoU with Taiwan-based Ahamani Advanced Inc bring to AVPL and the broader Indian drone ecosystem, and how is AVPL leveraging such international partnerships to strengthen India’s position in the global drone technology market? Additionally, are there plans for similar collaborations with other global leaders to further expand AVPL’s capabilities?
The MoU with Taiwan-based Ahamani Advanced Inc brings significant strategic benefits to AVPL International and the Indian drone ecosystem. More such collaborations include establishment in IIT Kanpur technopark for the research and development on advanced technologies of drones. By facilitating technology transfer, this collaboration allows us to leverage Taiwan’s advanced expertise in drone technology, providing critical knowledge and skill enhancement. This partnership empowers Indian youth to work with cutting-edge drone advancements, bridging the gap between global innovation and local application.
AVPL International is committed to strengthening India’s position in the global drone market by fostering such international collaborations. We are actively exploring partnerships in regions like Dubai, Australia, Germany, Japan, and Brazil to further advance drone technology in India. These global engagements will help us continually enhance our capabilities through technology transfer.
With AVPL’s diverse initiatives, how do you see the Indian drone ecosystem evolving over the next five years, and how does your multifaceted approach—including manufacturing, training, and partnerships—align with your broader vision for rural and agricultural development in India? Any strategies that you would like to mention about AVPL’s programs and initiatives has been scaling effectively and sustainably across different nations or globally?
Rural India represents the new India. With technology’s rapid advancement, we are witnessing a transformative wave that promises to uplift rural areas, which form the heart of our economy. AVPL International’s multifaceted initiatives—encompassing manufacturing, training, and strategic partnerships—position it as a key enabler of this evolution.
We envision rural India evolving into smart villages where farmers and entrepreneurs leverage cutting-edge technology alongside traditional practices to enhance productivity, create revenue streams, and build resilient economies. AVPL International’s programs, such as its drone manufacturing unit in Bihar, 20 World Incubation and Skill Hubs (WISH) and 50 Aero Vision Drone Labs, empower rural youth with skills and entrepreneurship opportunities, fostering self-reliance.
By integrating initiatives like Drone as a Service (DaaS) and partnering with global leaders like Ahamani Advanced Inc., AVPL International ensures its efforts align with international standards. Sustainability is at the core, with collaborations like those with AICTE and the Agriculture Skill Council of India driving scalable solutions. As we expand globally into markets like Brazil, Australia, and Spain, AVPL International’s vision remains clear: to empower rural India to thrive as a vital contributor to India’s growth and innovation on the global stage.