Do Farmers Need a License to Fly Drones in India? What You Need to Know

Drones are transforming not just Indian agriculture, but agriculture worldwide, offering precision in crop monitoring, pesticide spraying and soil analysis. Their adoption is beneficial for farmers, as it enhances productivity and decreases labour costs. With the growing use of drones, it's vital to understand the regulatory framework governing their operation. This blog examines the need for farmers to obtain a license for drone operations in India and outlines the key regulations they must comply with.

The DGCA classifies drones based on their weight:

• Nano Drones: These are the drones which weigh up to 250 grams
• Micro Drones: The weight of these drones should be between 250 grams and 2 kg.
• Small Drones: The drones weighing between 2 kg and 25 kg fall in the category of small drones.
• Medium Drones: The Weight of medium drones is between 25 kgs and 150 kgs.
• Large Drones: Any drone over 150 kg is considered to be a large drone.

The governing requirements differ depending on the category of drones and their intended use.

Nano and Micro Drones

Talking of non-commercial purposes, farmers can operate nano and micro drones without a Remote Pilot Certificate. They must ensure that these drones are flown at an altitude of less than 50 feet and kept away from airports and other restricted areas. It's significant to note that while a license might not be obligatory, adherence to guidelines is vital to guarantee safety and compliance.

Small, Medium, and Large Drones

For small, medium, or large applications, particularly when used commercially, such as crop spraying or data collection, farmers need an RPC from the DGCA. This includes completing drone pilot training from an RPTO. The RPC is vital for legal operation and to guarantee that safety standards are met.

The Indian Government presented the Drone Rules 2021 to control drone operations. These rules endorse the safe and effective usage of drones in agriculture. Key provisions comprise:

• Registration: All drones must be listed on the Digital Sky to get a Unique Identification Number.
• Training: Operators must obtain training at DGCA-approved institutes to obtain the essential certifications.
• Insurance: Insurance is compulsory for drone operations.
• Operational Guidelines: Drones should not be flown above an altitude of 400 feet, near airports, or in other areas. These regulations guarantee that drone processes are conducted safely and correctly.

To operate drones under the law, farmers should complete training at a DGCA-approved RPTO. These institutions offer courses that cover various aspects of drone operation. Upon completing the training, farmers get an RPC. Its validity is for a decade and after that, there is a need for renewal of the same.

Several RPTOs offer training precisely designed for agricultural applications. For example, the Namo Drone Didi Scheme trains women drone operators, with a focus on farming applications. Under this scheme, drones are offered to 15,000 women's self-help groups, with training enabled through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

 Drone integration in agriculture offers a lot of advantages:

• Precision Farming: Drones enable farmers to stay strong by allowing for the precise application of pesticides and fertilizers, thereby reducing waste and environmental impact. This kind of practice helps farmers to get the best out of the limited resources and take farming to an altogether different level. India, being an agriculture-based economy, will benefit hugely from this type of farming

• Saves a Lot of Time:  If you believe in the philosophy that time is money, then the use of drones in farming is essential for you. With drones, it is possible to complete tasks in considerably less time than would otherwise be required, which would otherwise take a lot of time and human effort.

• Fast Data Collection: Drones are particularly useful in providing real-time data on crop health, soil condition, and weather patterns, thus helping farmers make informed decisions. If the right decision is made at the right time, then the outcomes can be fruitful for farmers, and with the advent of drones, this has become possible more than ever.

• Considerable Cost Savings: With the advent of drones in agriculture, they have brought about a revolution. Now, work that would take hours can be done in minutes, and that too with reduced manual labour and input costs. This helps the farmers to make more and more profits.

With several big advantages associated with the use of drones in agriculture, there are some challenges as well, which need to be addressed to ensure that more and more farmers start using drones in agriculture:

•  Big Initial Investment: The high cost of agricultural drones can stop farmers from using drones in agriculture. To address this issue, the government is providing subsidies for the purchase of drones, thereby reducing the cost factor that hinders their adoption.

• Technical Expertise: It is undeniable that drone operations require a certain level of technical expertise. To ensure that all agricultural drone operators have this, there are various drone pilot training institutes, and having a Medium Remote Pilot Certificate is mandatory for agricultural drone pilots. Operating drones requires technical knowledge and skills.

• Regulatory Compliance:  If one is trained in the operations of drones, then he/ she would know about the fact that all the rules laid down by the DGCA should be followed. This further supports the need for drone pilot training for agricultural operators.  Not following these regulations can result in the seizing of the drone and even monetary penalties.

Farmers don’t need a license to operate nano and micro drones for non-commercial purposes. However, a license is mandatory for operating small, medium, and large drones.

Following the Drone Rules 2021 guarantees safe and effective use of drones in agriculture. With continued government support, farmers are well-positioned to use drones in agriculture.

If you also want to learn drone piloting for agriculture or any other industry, consider enrolling in Flapone Aviation, one of the best drone and aviation training institutes in India. Here, you will learn about the various aspects of drone piloting in detail and also gain some practical experience on simulators as well as real drones.