Union Minister Kamlesh Paswan Inaugurates Agricultural Drone Facility in Chennai
In a significant step toward promoting domestic drone manufacturing and rural technology empowerment, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan on Wednesday officially opened Garuda Aerospace’s new Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility in Chennai.
The facility, which spans 35,000 square feet, was created in partnership with the Bharat Drone Association. It seeks to boost domestic manufacturing, research, and training in the field of agricultural drone applications, which is an area that is becoming more and more popular in rural India.
A DGCA-approved Train the Trainer (TTT) program, which certifies experts in UAV operations, safety procedures, drone maintenance, and teaching methodology, was also formally introduced during the event. It is anticipated that this initiative will support the expansion of the network of certified drone instructors and standardize drone training nationwide.
During the event, Minister Paswan also introduced 300 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) throughout India in a virtual speech. Through drone technology, these CoEs hope to upskill young people, encourage innovation, and open up new job opportunities, particularly in the rural and agricultural sectors.
Paswan, who spoke at the launch, emphasized the government’s dedication to empowering rural communities by means of programs such as the Namo Drone Didi scheme. 15,000 women have already received training to fly agricultural drones. By 2026, we want to reach one lakh drone didis,” he stated, adding that entrepreneurship and technology are essential pillars in the transformation of rural India.
In addition to scaling up domestic drone production, the recently opened facility will also act as a hub for workforce development, field demonstrations, and training programs, said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder of Garuda Aerospace, who praised the Center’s support for Atmanirbhar Bharat.
CEO, Mavdrones
Pradipta V Mukherjee is the visionary CEO of Mavdrones, driving innovation and growth in the drone industry. With a passion for advanced technology, he leads the company's strategic direction, ensuring Mavdrones stays at the forefront of drone solutions. Under his leadership, Mavdrones has achieved remarkable success, including winning the 'Best Innovation and Technology in Drone Industry' award from ASSOCHAM. Pradipta is committed to revolutionizing the industry through advanced UAV technology, fostering a culture of excellence and forward-thinking within the organization.
