At the World Economic Forum 2025, themed “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” Salam Kisan of PRYM Group announced a significant partnership with the Government of Maharashtra and Microsoft. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to revolutionize precision agriculture in India, democratizing access to advanced agricultural drone technology for smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the nation’s agricultural economy.
India’s agricultural sector, tasked with feeding a population of nearly 1.4 billion, faces mounting challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and inefficiency. By 2030, an estimated one million drones will be required to modernize farming practices. However, the high costs and limited accessibility of these technologies remain formidable barriers for smallholder farmers, who constitute 70% of India’s farming population. This innovative collaboration directly addresses these challenges, paving the way for sustainable, climate-smart agricultural practices.
Leading the charge is the ‘Drone-as-a-Service’ (DaaS) initiative by Salam Kisan, which promises an investment of INR 300 crore over the next seven years. This effort will manufacture drones, establish training centers, and create a robust network of 200,000 trained Drone Service Providers (DSPs). Each DSP, expected to earn around INR 5 lakh annually, will foster rural employment, especially among youth, women, and marginalized communities.
To further support the initiative, the Government of Maharashtra will co-invest INR 300 crore in infrastructure and training facilities, focusing on the Marathwada region. This partnership aims to impact five million acres of farmland annually by 2030, boosting farmer profitability and sustainability.
As the technology partner, Microsoft will leverage cutting-edge AI, machine learning, and cloud computing to provide real-time data insights, predictive analytics, and precision farming recommendations. These tools will empower farmers with data-driven solutions, enhancing crop productivity and resource efficiency.
Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, stated at the World Economic Forum 2025 in Davos: “Maharashtra is leading the agricultural transformation. Through this collaboration with PRYM Solutions, we are creating over 300 jobs in drone manufacturing, empowering rural communities. This partnership will enhance productivity, promote sustainable practices, and set a global standard for climate-resilient farming and rural development.”
By 2030, this initiative will significantly enhance India’s agricultural ecosystem. Precision spraying and optimized irrigation will save an estimated 238 billion liters of water, while affordable drone services will reduce pesticide, fertilizer, and labor costs by 30%. AI-powered crop advisory, crop calendars, and precision farming techniques will boost agricultural productivity by 40%, enabling climate-resilient farming.
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, this endeavor underscores the power of public-private partnerships to combat climate change, ensure food security, and promote economic growth.
By integrating technology with traditional farming practices, this visionary collaboration sets the stage for a resilient and prosperous future for Indian agriculture.
