Farming in India has come a long way, but few transformations have been as visible, or as necessary, as the shift in how we protect our crops. One of the most crucial yet challenging tasks in agriculture has always been spraying—whether for pesticides, fertilizers, or micronutrients. From the days of knapsack sprayers to the rising popularity of drones, the journey of crop spraying tells the story of Indian agriculture’s slow but powerful transition from manual to modern.
The Early Days: Knapsack Sprayers and Labor-Intensive Work
For decades, Indian farmers relied on knapsack sprayers, hand-pumped devices strapped to the back, to apply pesticides and fertilizers across their fields. It was backbreaking, time-consuming work. Covering even a single acre required hours of manual effort, with the farmer walking long distances in heat or rain, often without adequate protective gear.
While simple and low-cost, this method exposed farmers directly to harmful chemicals. Many suffered from skin irritation, respiratory issues, and chronic health conditions. Moreover, inconsistent spraying meant some areas received too much chemical, while others were left untreated, compromising crop health and wasting expensive inputs.
The Tractor Era: More Speed, Less Precision
As mechanization spread, tractors fitted with boom sprayers entered Indian fields. These machines covered more area in less time and reduced the need for manual labor. But they brought their own set of challenges. Not all farms were suited to tractor movement, especially small or uneven plots. Spraying tall crops like sugarcane or rice paddy fields remained difficult.
Tractors still lacked precision. Large boom sprayers often over-applied chemicals, resulting in runoff that harmed nearby soil and water sources. And despite reducing direct contact, the operator still remained within close range of the sprayed chemicals.
The Drone Revolution: Speed, Precision, and Safety
Today, a new era of spraying has taken flight, literally. Agricultural drones have emerged as the most efficient, safe, and data-driven solution for Indian farmers. With the ability to spray one acre in just 7–10 minutes, drones outperform both manual and tractor-based methods in speed and precision.
Thanks to automated GPS-guided flight paths, drones ensure uniform spraying across every inch of the field, without missing spots or over-saturating certain areas. The farmer stays at a safe distance, operating the drone through a remote controller or mobile device, eliminating chemical exposure altogether.
In addition, drones use significantly less water and chemical solution, making them far more eco-friendly. Many models allow real-time adjustments and field mapping, giving farmers more control than ever before.
Meet Kisan Drone V10: Made for Indian Farms
Among the new-age spraying tools, the Kisan Drone V10 stands out as a game-changer, especially in the Indian context. Developed with India’s diverse terrain, crop patterns, and farmer needs in mind, it is robust, easy to operate, and highly efficient.
The V10 is equipped with a 10-liter tank, making it ideal for small to mid-sized farms. Its flight path is auto-programmable, and it comes with intelligent spraying controls that adjust output based on field density. Whether it’s rice in Bihar or cotton in Maharashtra, the V10 is versatile enough to handle the job.
More importantly, the drone has been priced and designed to qualify under government subsidy schemes, making it accessible for small and marginal farmers who want to embrace modern tools without facing a financial burden.
The Bigger Picture: Environmental and Economic Gains
The move from manual to drone-based spraying doesn’t just save time, it saves lives, protects soil health, and reduces chemical use. Farmers using drones report not only better crop yield, but also reduced input costs and improved personal safety. The automation of spraying allows farmers to manage larger areas with fewer resources.
Environmentally, drone spraying reduces water wastage, minimizes pesticide drift, and avoids chemical contamination of nearby water bodies. Economically, it opens up new avenues of income, many farmers are becoming drone service providers, conducting demos and spraying for others.
The Future is in the Sky
The evolution of spraying is more than just a tale of tools—it’s a reflection of how Indian agriculture is finally aligning with technology, sustainability, and efficiency. From knapsacks and tractors to the skies above, the journey has been long, but the direction is right.
As tools like the Kisan Drone V10 become more accessible, spraying in Indian agriculture is no longer a pain point—it’s becoming a precision-driven opportunity.
