In a quiet village in Uttar Pradesh, a small drone buzzes gently above a lush green field. It’s not
just flying for fun—within minutes, it sends the farmer a detailed map via WhatsApp. The
message pinpoints exactly where the crops are healthy, where they’re struggling, and what
needs to be done.
This isn’t science fiction. It’s the reality for thousands of farmers across India today—thanks to
two young engineers, Amandeep Panwar and Rishabh Choudhary , who are using drone
technology to take Indian agriculture to new heights.
From College Classrooms to Crop Fields
Back in 2016, Amandeep (from Delhi) and Rishabh (from Allahabad) were aerospace
engineering students in Lucknow. While their classmates focused on textbooks and exams,
these two were out flying drones over nearby fields.
Their flying experiments attracted curious farmers who started asking questions:
“Can this drone tell me what’s wrong with my crop?”
“Will it help me avoid pest attacks?”
That curiosity sparked an idea. What if they could use drones to give farmers real-time insights
about their fields? What if technology could make farming smarter, more efficient, and less
dependent on guesswork?
The Game-Changer: Hyperspectral Imaging
To truly help farmers, the duo needed more than just aerial photos. They needed to spot
problems before they became visible to the naked eye. That’s when they discovered
hyperspectral imaging —a technology that captures over 140 light wavelengths (compared to
just three that humans see).
This allowed them to detect signs of crop stress, disease, or nutrient deficiency
early—sometimes weeks before any visible symptoms. It was like giving farmers a superpower.
But there was a problem: hyperspectral sensors were bulky and expensive, originally designed
for satellites. So, Amandeep and Rishabh partnered with global manufacturers to create
compact, affordable versions that could fit on drones.
Building Bharat Rohan: A Farmer-First Agri-Tech Company
That breakthrough led to the launch of BharatRohan , a precision agriculture company aimed at
empowering Indian farmers with drone-powered crop insights.
They started with just 42 farmers across a few villages. But they soon realized flying drones
farm-by-farm wasn’t practical. So, they introduced a cluster farming model —focusing on
100–150 acre zones in one village. This made drone operations efficient and allowed their team
to build deeper relationships with the farming community.
Solving a Bigger Problem: What Comes After Diagnosis?
Identifying crop problems was only half the battle. Many farmers couldn’t find the right products
locally to fix the issues. To bridge that gap, the duo launched Pravir , a range of biological
agri-inputs designed to work with their recommendations.
Products like Silvershakti (a silver-based antifungal spray) and Humeshakti (a soil health
booster) are now helping farmers reduce chemical usage while improving yields. It’s a perfect
mix of modern tech and sustainable farming practices.
The Results Speak for Themselves
Farmers using BharatRohan’s services are seeing real results. – 30–35% increase in crop yield – 30% reduction in input costs
And the best part? Everything is shared via WhatsApp—no apps to download, no complex
dashboards. Farmers receive easy-to-understand crop maps, treatment suggestions, and
follow-up support in their local language.
Scaling Up With Simplicity and Heart
Today, BharatRohan works with over 50,000 farmers across seven states including Uttar
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and
Meghalaya. Their team of agronomists, drone pilots, and data scientists ensures every farmer
gets actionable insights they can trust.
And to make the model even more scalable, they’ve launched a franchise program —training
rural entrepreneurs to operate drones and support local farming communities. It’s tech with a
human touch.
Looking Ahead: Farming That Works for Everyone
Amandeep and Rishabh believe not coming from a farming background was a hidden
advantage. It helped them question the status quo and design solutions that were fresh,
practical, and rooted in empathy.
Their journey shows that real change doesn’t always begin in fancy labs. Sometimes, it takes off
in the middle of a wheat field, guided by a buzzing drone and two determined minds.
Final Thoughts
BharatRohan isn’t just another startup. It’s a movement—bringing cutting-edge drone farming
and precision agriculture to the grassroots of India. By blending deep tech with farmer-first
thinking, they’re not only boosting yields but also restoring trust in farming as a profession.
Their story is proof that when innovation meets empathy, the results can truly change lives—one
farm at a time.
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