Can Agriculture Drones Help Reduce Water and Fertilizer Waste

How Smart Drones Are Optimizing Farm Inputs and Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

India’s agriculture sector is evolving at a rapid pace. With erratic rainfall, depleting groundwater, rising fertilizer prices, and growing environmental concerns, farmers today face a unique challenge. It is to produce more with fewer resources. The traditional methods of spraying fertilizers and irrigating crops are not only inefficient but also lead to significant wastage.

Agriculture drones are a modern solution with the potential to reduce water and fertilizer waste while increasing farm productivity.

In this blog, we’ll explore how agriculture drones in India are transforming farming practices, especially by improving resource efficiency. From precision spraying to data-driven crop monitoring, let us see how drones are helping Indian farmers make every drop and every granule count.

Understanding the Problem: Water and Fertilizer Waste in Agriculture

Indian farms waste an alarming amount of water and fertilizers every year. According to the Central Ground Water Board, over 89% of groundwater is used for irrigation in India. On the other hand, studies show that more than 40% of chemical fertilizers used are lost due to improper spraying methods or over-application. 

This not only affects crop yield but also harms the soil, contaminates water sources, and impacts human health.

These inefficiencies are not due to farmer neglect but rather the lack of affordable precision tools, until now.

How Agriculture Drones Minimize Water and Fertilizer Waste

Let us see how agri drones in India are helping farmers reduce water and fertilizer wastage.

Let us first start with how they are helping to reduce water wastage.

Precision Irrigation Mapping

Agriculture drones equipped with multispectral and thermal cameras can identify dry and over-irrigated zones across the field. This data allows farmers to:

• Detect water stress in plants before it becomes visible.

• Irrigate only where necessary.

• Reduce dependency on guesswork and blanket irrigation methods.

For example, a 10-acre farm in Punjab can use drone surveys to map soil moisture levels and develop a smart irrigation plan, leading to water savings of up to 30%.

Controlled Spraying of Water-soluble Nutrients

Many drones come with variable rate spraying systems that allow water-soluble fertilizers to be delivered precisely to where they’re needed.

Instead of spraying entire fields, drones can target specific zones, thereby avoiding overuse and minimizing runoff.

Also read: How drones are solving labor shortages on Indian farms

Let us now talk about how they are helping to reduce fertilizer wastage.

Spot Application of Fertilizers

Fertilizer drones can:

• Detect nitrogen deficiencies through multispectral imaging.

• Apply micronutrients to specific crop patches.

• Adjust dosage in real-time using AI-based analytics.

This approach, known as site-specific nutrient management (SSNM), results in:

• Better absorption by crops.

• Reduced fertilizer input by 20–40%.

• Enhanced soil health over time.

Uniform Distribution

Manual fertilizer spraying is often uneven, leading to patchy crop growth. Drones ensure uniform droplet size and consistent spraying height, leading to a more balanced application and optimized usage of inputs.

Real-Life Benefits of Using Agriculture Drones

 

Real‑Life Agri Drone Use Cases in India

Kondapochamma FPO, Telangana – Nano Urea via Drone

In March 2024, the Kondapochamma Farmers Producer Organization in Siddipet used drones to spray nano urea in paddy fields. The result:

• Efficiency of nitrogen uptake increased from ~50% (manual spray) to over 80% with drone application
  
  

• Greater fertilizer use efficiency - higher yields, cost savings, and reduced environmental pollution

(source: telanganatoday)

Faridkot District, Punjab – Pesticide & Fertilizer Spraying

Under the NAMO Drone Didi initiative by IFFCO, local farmers utilized drones for maize and moongi crop spraying. Outcomes included:

• Water usage dropped from 100 L/acre (manual) to just 10 L/acre (drone)
  
  

• Fertilizer/pesticide usage reduced by 25–50%, thanks to precise application
  
  

• Cost-effective service delivery: spraying at ~₹200/acre vs ₹1,000 manually

(source: indianexpress)

KAU, Kerala  - Drone Seed Sowing Trial

The M.S. Swaminathan Rice Research Centre (KAU) trialed drone seeders in Alappuzha, showing:

• Efficient seed distribution

• Reduced labour and seed wastage
  

• Positive implications for scaling in larger paddy belts

(source: thehindu)

Government Support for Agriculture Drone Adoption

India’s Ministry of Agriculture is actively pushing drone adoption:

• Subsidies up to 100% for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
  

• Drone training under Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) 
  

• Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) for rental-based drone access

• Recognition of drones as Essential Farm Equipment

This is making precision farming accessible even to small and marginal farmers.

Also read: Government subsidies for Agri drones in India for 2025

With government backing, innovative startups, and increasing awareness, agri-drones are no longer just a futuristic concept. They’re a practical, sustainable tool already improving lives and livelihoods across India.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do agriculture drones help save water in farming?

Agriculture drones use sensors and imaging to detect dry or over-irrigated areas, allowing farmers to water only where necessary, saving up to 30% water.

Can drones help reduce the amount of fertilizer used?

Yes. Drones enable precise, site-specific fertilizer application, reducing overall usage by up to 40% while improving crop health.

Are drones suitable for small farmers in India?

Yes, absolutely. With government subsidies, rental services, and drone-as-a-service models, small farmers can access drone tech affordably and effectively.

Do agriculture drones require technical skills to operate?

Basic training is required, but user-friendly apps, autopilot features, and support from Custom Hiring Centres make drone operation simple even for first-time users.

Are drone services available for hire in rural India?

Yes, many states have launched Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) and are partnering with agri-tech startups to provide drone services in remote rural areas.