Can drones be the future of farming and forestry? Prem Kumar Vislawath, Founder of Marut Drones, discusses their product AG 365 and the company’s groundbreaking contributions to agriculture, afforestation, and disaster management with EFY’s Nitisha Dubey.
Q. What are Marut Drones’ core activities and key product offerings?
A. Marut Drones operates through three verticals: manufacturing, drone services, and drone training. In manufacturing, we produce and sell drones, with over 600 units operating across India. Operating for over six years, we are active in 18 states, offering products such as pesticide spraying, fertiliser broadcasting, surveillance, afforestation, and delivery drones. Our drone services cater to government bodies, agricultural corporations, farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), farmers, and individuals, offering tailored applications. Our drone training programmes also provide Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-certified pilot licences valid for ten years.
Q. What are the primary applications and industries your drones are designed for?
A. Designed and sold in India, our drones address critical needs in multiple industries. In agriculture, our drones assist with crop spraying, fertiliser broadcasting, direct seeding, and monitoring for pests or diseases. We work with forest officers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the afforestation sector to support reforestation and afforestation efforts. Our drones can also be used for fish feeding in aquaculture. Our delivery drones are crucial in disaster management, transporting essential items such as blood, vaccines, and food. Additionally, we supply surveillance drones for law enforcement and defence purposes.
Q. Do you hold patents for your drones’ innovative applications?
A. We hold patents, including utility and design, for innovative applications such as drone-based direct seeding in paddy, specifically in wet soil. Traditionally performed manually, this process has been automated using our drones. We have already been granted patents for this innovation in collaboration with Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTAU), and several other patents are currently in progress.
Q. Do you manufacture all components in-house, or are some sourced from external suppliers?
A. We manufacture 60% of our components in-house, specifically based on our designs, while the remaining 40% are sourced from domestic and international suppliers. Our head office and manufacturing facilities are in Hyderabad, supported by smaller offices and a team of 160 people. We focus on assembly and testing. Sourced components include battery cells, motors, and electronic parts, which we integrate with our in-house manufacturing to ensure high-quality products. This approach allows us to balance innovation with efficiency while addressing the current limitations of the drone component market.
Q. What sets your drones apart from those offered by your competitors?
A. Our drone model, AG 365, is designed for year-round usability, offering six distinct applications that set it apart from competitors focused solely on sprayer-equipped drones. AG 365 acts like an aerial tractor, enabling multiple agricultural tasks with plug-and-play payloads. It can spray apply insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, and other liquid solutions; granular distribution, handling seeds, fertilisers, and similar materials; and direct seeding, automating paddy transplantation, traditionally done manually. Additionally, it supports pollination, aiding hybrid seed germination and pest and disease identification, empowering precision agriculture by targeting interventions such as spraying or seeding based on real-time crop health data. The sixth application is thermal fogging, useful for pest control and disinfection. This multi-utility functionality ensures high efficiency and cost-effectiveness, with entrepreneurs achieving a return on investment (ROI) within six to seven months. AG 365’s versatility and rapid ROI make it a game-changing tool for modern agricultural practices, driving innovation and productivity in the sector.
Q. Which states have the highest demand for Marut Drones’ services and operations?
A. We operate actively in 18 states, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Assam, with physical teams and drones deployed daily. Currently, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh are the top three states with the highest demand for our services.
Q. How do Marut Drones support entrepreneurs and partner with corporates in agriculture?
A. We empower village-level entrepreneurs by enabling existing tractor operators and farm machinery professionals to purchase drones and offer services directly to farmers. Additionally, we collaborate with corporate entities, including companies such as Bayer India, seed companies, and agricultural machinery manufacturers such as Shaktiman Farm Machinery and Mahindra. These companies enhance their offerings with our drones by distributing them through their dealer networks or directly providing drone services to farmers.
Q. Are you currently seeking vendors or partners to expand your business further?
A. We are seeking partnerships to expand our business and promote drone technology. We aim to collaborate with agricultural machinery and transport companies, such as tractor manufacturers and pesticide producers, to integrate drones into the agricultural ecosystem. Additionally, we strive to establish drone dealerships in rural areas by partnering with dealers and distributors. These dealerships, similar to those for automobiles or agrarian equipment, will showcase and sell drones to farmers, entrepreneurs, and local customers, increasing awareness and accessibility at the village level. We also engage with financial institutions, including banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), to develop drone financing options. By offering loan systems akin to those for bikes or cars, we can make drone purchases more affordable and practical for end users.
Furthermore, we are partnering with educational institutions such as agricultural universities, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and colleges to set up training centres. By leveraging their existing infrastructure—classrooms, laboratories, and grounds—drone training programmes can be delivered without requiring new investments. These centres will operate on a revenue-sharing model, fostering mutual growth.
Q. What is the total number of drones sold annually?
A. We sell between 30 to 50 to 150 monthly units and have already deployed 600 units in the market. At any given time, we maintain over 100 drones in production at our manufacturing facility. This year, we are on track to achieve an annual sales volume of 1000 units.
Q. Please elaborate on the drone training programme.
A. Our training is minimal and designed to accommodate individuals with a minimum qualification of 10th pass. Depending on the learners ‘ needs, it is conducted in regional languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, or Marathi. Our target audience includes anyone with at least a 10th-grade education. This can range from Industrial Training Institute (ITI) graduates to intermediate degree holders, engineers, or even scientists. To enrol, individuals must provide valid identity proof, such as a PAN card or passport, in compliance with DGCA guidelines in India. This minimum eligibility ensures accessibility for a wide range of participants, including rural individuals, tractor drivers, women, and those associated with NGOs. The training is also crucial as it empowers participants to operate drones effectively, enabling them to provide valuable services to farmers or create new earning opportunities for themselves.
Q. What is the duration of training?
A. We offer training to everyone through our Marut Drone Academy, with training centres across various parts of the country. The training programme typically spans five to six days and covers theoretical knowledge, simulation exercises, and practical flying. Each participant receives 400 hours of flying experience. While the standard duration is five days, it can be extended to seven to ten days for individuals such as self-help women or participants from rural areas who may require additional flying practice or experience. The duration is adjusted based on the profile and needs of the participants. This structure adheres to the mandatory guidelines set by the DGCA in India.
Q. How does the Marut Drone Academy structure its training programmes and support trainees?
A. Each training centre currently trains around 40 individuals monthly, with ten participants per batch. We prefer smaller batches to provide personalised attention, ensuring trainees receive comprehensive support and guidance. Our training extends beyond basic pilot training and includes multiple specialised courses.
The first course focuses on pilot training, where participants learn to fly drones and acquire licenses. The second is a month-long drone repair and maintenance course, equipping individuals with the skills to maintain and repair drones independently. The third course specialises in agricultural spraying, teaching trainees to use drones effectively for crops such as sugarcane, rice, red gram, and bananas. This includes learning about specific drone settings like height, nozzle type, and speed for optimal results. Currently, we train 150 to 200 individuals across four centres per month. Each centre has the potential to scale from 40 to 120 trainees monthly by increasing batch sizes from ten to 30 participants weekly. Post-training, trainees are given continuous support and can revisit for skill enhancement or additional practice if needed. Our hands-on approach covers software, hardware, regulations, and application-specific knowledge, ensuring trainees are well-equipped for real-world challenges.
Q. What are Marut Drones’ plans for expansion and technological development?
A. Currently, we operate drones with a total weight of 25 to 30 kilograms. Over the next 12 to 18 months, plans are in place to introduce drones with capacities ranging from 20 to 100 litres. Additionally, we are developing heavy-duty drones powered by batteries, petrol, or hybrid systems to cater to diverse market needs. To simplify operations for first-time users, we are working on advanced software that enables fully autonomous drone control, requiring a single click for efficient management. Expanding into international markets is also a key priority, with plans to export drones to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Africa, and the Philippines within the same timeframe. Moreover, we aim to scale our training infrastructure by establishing ten new centres, building on the currently operated four. These initiatives are essential to driving our growth and innovation in the drone industry.
Q. What challenges does the drone industry face in development and component sourcing?
A. There are challenges in this emerging industry, mainly due to the need for various components. If we were to produce all components ourselves, it would delay the introduction of new applications to the market. Therefore, collaboration with numerous Indian manufacturers producing motors, batteries, GPS systems, radars, and sensors is needed. By working together, we can develop and release innovative applications more efficiently.
Q. What was Marut Drones’ revenue growth in the last fiscal year?
A. Last year, we hit ₹250 million in revenue. With rising demand, we aim to double that and reach ₹500 million in the next two to three years. But that is just the beginning – we are setting our sights on ₹1 billion within the same timeframe.
