Coromandel and Mahindra partner to expand drone spraying services for Indian farmers

Coromandel International Limited and Mahindra & Mahindra's Krish-e have partnered to expand drone spraying services for Indian farmers. This collaboration aims to increase accessibility to Coromandel’s Gromor Drive services through Mahindra’s ‘Krish-e Kheti Ke Liye App.’

The partnership leverages Coromandel's expertise in drone technology through its subsidiary, Dhaksha Unmanned Systems, and Mahindra's established network. The service, currently operating in seven states, offers farmers a more efficient and cost-effective method of applying fertilisers and pesticides. This technology also reduces farmers' exposure to chemicals.

Krish-e Kheti Ke Liye App

Coromandel International Limited, a leading agri-solutions provider in India, and Mahindra & Mahindra Limited’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES) business, Krish-e, announced a partnership to expand access to drone spraying services for farmers. The collaboration will utilize the ‘Krish-e Kheti Ke Liye App’ to offer Coromandel's Gromor Drive services, alongside other farm solutions from Mahindra’s FES. The agreement aims to improve farmers' income and benefit the overall agricultural value chain.

Gromor Drive currently operates in seven states: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Dhaksha Unmanned Systems, a Coromandel subsidiary, provides drone supply, pilot training, and service support for Gromor Drive. All pilots are RPTO-trained, ensuring professional and safe operations.

This backward integration gives Coromandel a competitive advantage in the expanding drone spraying market. The partnership with Krish-e expands the reach of these services by making them available through a widely used agricultural app.

“Coromandel’s Gromor Drive offers significant advancements in efficiency, scalability, and convenience for agricultural practices to farmers. This (non-binding) MoU signing between Coromandel’s Gromor Drive and Mahindra Krish-e represents a pivotal moment in our journey towards transforming the agricultural landscape of India by making drone spraying accessible to farmers. We aim to reduce their input costs, increase productivity, and improve farm profitability through this collaboration. Coromandel’s Gromor Drive, backed by the company’s subsidiary Dhaksha Unmanned Systems, brings in the added advantage of in-house developed cutting-edge agricultural drones, in addition to its fleet of certified drone pilots. We are confident that this collaboration will unlock new opportunities for innovation, create value for our stakeholders, and most importantly, make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of farmers,” said Amir Alvi, Coromandel’s Chief Operating Officer, Fertiliser Business, during the MoU signing.

What does it signify?

The collaboration aims to provide farmers with access to advanced drone technology, reducing their input costs and increasing productivity. It also seeks to enhance efficiency and convenience in agricultural practices. The use of drones for spraying allows for precise application of fertilisers and pesticides, leading to optimised resource utilisation and minimised environmental impact.

“With Krish-e’s well-established presence across the country and Coromandel’s experienced Gromor Drive fleet, we are pleased to take the benefits of drones to many more Indian farmers. A significant step towards enhancing productivity and lowering a farmer’s exposure to powerful chemicals, drone technology can enable selective spraying of fertilisers and chemicals on crops, while also ensuring improved yield. The partnership will ensure accessibility of drone spraying for Krish-e customers through the Krish-e Kheti Ke Liye App, on a pay-per-acre basis,” stated Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., shared this perspective on the partnership.

The partnership aims to broaden the availability of drone services to a larger number of farmers throughout India. The drone technology enables targeted spraying, reducing chemical exposure for farmers and ensuring efficient application of fertilizers and chemicals. Farmers will be able to access the drone spraying services through the Krish-e Kheti Ke Liye App and pay on a per-acre basis. This pay-per-acre model makes the service accessible and affordable for farmers of varying farm sizes.