Technical Specifications and Spraying Technology
The Garuda Kisan Drone features a lightweight carbon-fiber hexacopter or quadcopter airframe equipped with an IP67-rated water- and dust-proof propulsion system.
Equipped with a 10-liter or 16-liter chemical payload tank and high-pressure brushless spray pumps, it delivers calibrated ultra-low volume (ULV) foliar sprays through rotary atomizers with droplet sizes of 100 to 250 microns.
- Chemical payload tank: 10-liter or 16-liter capacity with quick-release filtering lid
- Spraying coverage speed: Completes 1 acre of uniform foliar spraying in 6 to 8 minutes (up to 25-30 acres per day)
- Spray swath: 3.5 to 5.0 meters wide swath depending on flying altitude (typically 1.5 to 2.5 meters above crop canopy)
- Flight propulsion: High-efficiency brushless motors powered by high-capacity smart lithium batteries (16,000 to 22,000 mAh)
Autonomous Navigation, Radar, and DGCA Certification
The Garuda drone features full DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) type certification, ensuring compliance with national airworthiness and agricultural safety protocols.
Equipped with millimeter-wave terrain-following radar and forward-reverse obstacle avoidance sensors, the drone automatically tracks undulating crop contours and bypasses trees and electric poles.
- DGCA Type Certified: Fully compliant with Drone Rules 2021 and ministry agricultural operating standards
- Terrain-following radar: Maintains constant altitude above undulating crop canopies
- Obstacle avoidance: 360-degree radar detecting power lines, trees, and obstacles up to 30 meters away
- Autonomous mission planning: Handheld ground control station (GCS) app allowing automated polygon field mapping
Government Subsidies and Commercial Acquisition
Under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) Kisan Drone guidelines, the Government of India provides substantial capital subsidies to promote drone adoption.
Subsidies provide 50 percent (up to 5 lakh rupees) for SC/ST, women, and small/marginal farmers, 40 percent (up to 4 lakh rupees) for other individual farmers, and up to 100 percent (up to 10 lakh rupees) for ICAR institutes and KVKs.
- SMAM Drone Subsidy: 50 percent capital assistance (up to 5 lakh rupees) for small/marginal, SC/ST, and women farmers
- FPO Subsidies: Up to 75 percent financial assistance for registered Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
- Custom Hiring Centers: Subsidies for rural entrepreneurs setting up drone service hubs
- Operating requirements: Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) from a DGCA-authorized Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO)
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
How long does the Garuda Kisan Drone take to spray one acre of crops?
The Garuda Kisan Drone typically sprays one acre in 6 to 8 minutes, allowing an operator to cover 25 to 30 acres in a single day.
What is the government subsidy available on agricultural drones in India?
Small, marginal, SC/ST, and women farmers can receive up to 50 percent subsidy (capped at 5 lakh rupees), while FPOs can access up to 75 percent under SMAM guidelines.
Is a pilot license mandatory to fly an agricultural drone?
Yes, commercial operators must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) issued by a DGCA-approved training institute to operate agricultural drones legally.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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