Marut Drones' Pesticide Spraying Revolution in India

Three IIT Guwahati alumni set out to combat mosquitoes, and through a series of pivots, now power an agricultural revolution in India. Marut Drones' AG365 drones spray pesticides and deliver fertilizer, all while saving water and labour. Marut Drones didn't just build a drone, they energised a rural ecosystem.

A Multi-Tool for Modern Farmers

Marut Drones' AG365 drone system is a swappable, interchanging platform which lets farmers adapt the drone for different tasks. Unlike a drone with a single camera, the AG365 is a heavy-duty workhorse. It can spray pesticides, including targeting difficult-to-reach areas, such as mosquito larvae in stagnant urban waters. It can distribute fertiliser, broadcast seeds, and even perform tasks like spraying fertiliser or planting seeds. The AG365 model isn't just a drone; it’s part of an accessible ecosystem. Three engineering graduates built a drone system called Maroot Zap, equipped with AI, sensors, and drone technology, to map and eliminate mosquito larvae in urban areas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Marut Drones pivoted, shifting the drones to agriculture. The resulting AG365 drone can perform multiple agricultural functions, including spraying pesticides and distributing fertiliser, and planting seeds. Consider the agility of having a drone that can fly across 5.2 hectares spraying, perform a soil survey, and then quickly swap payloads to fertilise a different field.

Drone-as-a-Service Economy

The AG365 system is more than just hardware; it's a comprehensive drone-as-a-service (DaaS) model. This approach addresses the affordability challenge. Small-hold farmers can't afford expensive drone hardware, so Marut Drones introduced an ultra-accessible rental service. For example, local rural pilots are trained and certified to operate the drones, which are then rented out by the acre. This model turns a massive upfront hardware cost into a cheap, affordable rental fee, making precision farming accessible to small-hold farmers. The savings open a bigger market for the company, and the technology, its reach, and impact grow.

The Smart Rebuild

Pest Patrol

Marut Drones originally targeted mosquitoes, using their drones to survey and spray water bodies. This application has evolved: now, drones tackle crop pests. They can now be used to target common and harmful pests in more diverse settings, including in regions with no water bodies. For example, a drone can fly through a field spotting signs of a pest infestation and then spray the infested area.

Grid-Targeted Fertilisation

The AG365 can broadcast fertiliser to targeted spots, saving water and ensuring that the soil gets the nutrients it needs. This reduces the environmental impact of fertiliser runoff. The drones allow for precise measurements and application, minimising waste. This method saves water and ensures that the soil receives the needed nutrients.

Sowing From Above

The AG365 drones can also plant seeds directly. This eliminates the need for manual planting, which saves labour costs and allows a lot of ground to be covered in less time. Using drones to plant seeds allows for precise seeding, ensuring that each region of the field is fertilised with the necessary seeds for optimal growth. This reduces the need to travel across fields, making them more efficient.

Aerial System

A precise network forms the basis of Marut Drones' model. It trains and certifies local rural pilots. These pilots then rent out their services to local farmers, allowing them to use the drones to spray pesticides, fertiliser, and plant seeds. The drone hardware can vary from 5.2 hectares for small plots to larger areas for larger business farms. This network turns a massive upfront hardware cost into an affordable rental fee, making drone technology accessible, and opening up a broader market.

The Indian Agtech Opportunity

Marut Drones has been part of a broader trend of agriculture in India shifting to tech-enabled efficiency. The company has deployed over 1,800 drones across India under the AG365 system, securing its partners funding of $6.2 million in the Series A round. This success is the first step in making a crop's productivity far more predictable, while delivering real environmental benefits.