AVPL and DeHaat join forces to bring advanced AgriTech to farmers

AVPL International, a leading player in India's drone ecosystem, has entered into a strategic partnership with DeHaat, a prominent agri-tech platform, in a move that promises to modernize the Indian agricultural sector by integrating advanced drone technology with grassroots agricultural expertise.

Amrendra Singh, Co-Founder of DeHaat, emphasized the alignment of this partnership with DeHaat's mission to empower farmers through cutting-edge technology. "By integrating AVPL's drone and agri-tech solutions with our established network, we aim to significantly enhance the productivity and efficiency of our existing farmer base. This collaboration will not only improve yield but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of farming practices across our vast network," Singh stated.

DeHaat, known for its rapid growth in the agri-tech sector, provides end-to-end solutions to the farming community in India. With operations in 12 agrarian states, DeHaat supports over 2.7 million farmers through its extensive network of DeHaat Centres and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The company also offers AI-enabled crop advisory services for over 30 crops in regional languages, further empowering farmers with knowledge and technology.

Preet Sandhu, Founder of AVPL International, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting its potential to transform Indian agriculture. "Our collaboration with DeHaat is a major step forward in our mission to transform agriculture in India. Together, we aim to provide farmers with the tools and support needed to excel in today’s competitive environment," Sandhu remarked.

As part of the collaboration, AVPL International will establish a Project Management Unit (PMU) dedicated to training and skilling 140,000 candidates. These efforts will focus on promoting agri-entrepreneurs and "Dronepreneurs," equipping them with the necessary skills to adopt new technologies and innovative farming practices. The training will cover a wide range of areas, including drone operations, drone manufacturing, agri-training, agri-retail, and multi-sector skill development.

Farmer City International Pvt Ltd (FC), a subsidiary of AVPL International, will also play a crucial role in this partnership. FC aims to empower farmers and enhance economic opportunities through a unique phygital model that integrates physical stores with digital platforms. As an aggregator of agri-tech start-ups, FC will provide farmers with training, certification, market linkages, and a wide range of agricultural services and products.

The partnership will see the integration of AVPL International’s advanced agricultural technologies with DeHaat’s network, providing farmers with improved tools and resources. Additionally, AVPL International will create Dronepreneurs who will be appointed at DeHaat stores to offer Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), including data sharing and precision farming initiatives over the next three years.

Moreover, the collaboration will focus on opening stores in agricultural mandis owned by state governments, in association with the National Council of State Agriculture Boards. AVPL International will also provide DaaS services across 70 locations for conducting non-agri training and deploy one drone entrepreneur at each DeHaat store.

AVPL International’s extensive presence across 12 states and its collaboration with the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) to conduct drone spray operations across 50 lakh acres in eight states further solidifies its commitment to transforming Indian agriculture.

The partnership will be rolled out in phases, beginning with key agricultural regions and eventually expanding to cover the entire country, heralding a new era of technological advancement in Indian farming practices.