AVPL International and DeHaat ink agri-tech partnership to empower farmers

Date:09-02-2024

AVPL International, a leading name in the Indian drone ecosystem and a pioneer in revamping the agricultural landscape through technology, has formalised a strategic partnership with DeHaat, a prominent agri-tech platform in India. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in efforts to modernise the agricultural sector by merging advanced technology with grassroots agricultural expertise.

The initiative will see AVPL International’s advanced agricultural technologies being integrated with DeHaat’s well-established network, providing farmers with improved tools and resources. Additionally, AVPL International will provide training to create Dronepreneurs who will be appointed at DeHaat stores to offer drone services to farmers. These Dronepreneurs will be responsible for providing Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) at each DeHaat store, including data sharing and precision farming initiatives over the next three years. The partnership will be implemented in phases, starting with key agricultural regions and expanding to cover the entire country.

Moreover, the partnership 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 for DaaS at each DeHaat store.

AVPL International, with a presence across 12 states, also has a collaboration with the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) to conduct drone spray operations across an expansive 50 lakh acres, spanning eight states including Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.

Amrendra Singh, DeHaat’s Co-Founder, commented, ″This partnership with AVPL International aligns perfectly with our 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 the farming practices across our vast network.″

DeHaat is one of the fastest-growing start-ups in the Agri-Tech sector and one of the few companies providing end-to-end solutions and services to the farming community in India. DeHaat is building AI-enabled technologies to revolutionise supply chain and production efficiency in the farming sector. Currently, it operates in 12 Indian agrarian states with an extensive network of over 15,000+ DeHaat Centres and 503 FPOs, serving more than 2.7 million farmers. Additionally, DeHaat offers AI-enabled crop advisory for over 30 crops in regional languages.

Preet Sandhuu, Founder of AVPL International, added, ″We are pleased to support DeHaat in its endeavour to empower farmers and make agriculture sustainable in India using advanced technology. 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.″

By integrating DeHaat’s extensive farmer network with AVPL International’s innovative technological solutions, the alliance aims to enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in farming practices across India.

To further strengthen this collaboration, AVPL International will establish a Project Management Unit dedicated to training and skilling 140,000 candidates. These efforts will focus on promoting candidates as agri-entrepreneurs, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to adopt new technologies and innovative farming practices. The training will encompass a wide range of areas including drone training, drone manufacturing, agri-trainings, agri-retail, and multi-sector skill development, all aimed at creating ″Dronepreneurs″ and agri-entrepreneurs.

Farmer City International Pvt Ltd (FC), a subsidiary of AVPL International, is also a crucial part of this partnership. FC is dedicated to empowering farmers and enhancing economic opportunities through a unique phygital model that integrates physical stores with digital platforms. As an aggregator of agri-tech start-ups, FC aims to transform Indian agriculture by providing farmers with training, certification, market linkages, and a wide range of agricultural services and products.