Passenger Drone Research Private Limited (PDRL), notable drone technology company that develops SaaS platforms for drone manufacturers, recently announced the launch of BhuMeet. BhuMeet is an aggregator platform that aims at operating like an “Ola or Uber” that connects farmers with drone service providers. The platform aims at revolutionising the way essential drone services such as agricultural spraying and surveying are accessed and managed, by offering a seamless and efficient solution for locating reliable drone services and optimizing operational workflows.
How the platform functions is that it enables users to find and hire top drone service providers based on their service records and proximity, ensuring efficient and localized service delivery. For drone service providers, the platform in-turn offers a unique opportunity to expand their reach, connect with potential customers, and drive business growth through enhanced service management. In the same vein, Anil Chandaliya, Founder and CEO of PDRL, spoke to Tech Achieve Media to share more insights on the BhuMeet platform along the sidelines of its launch.
TAM: What challenges did you encounter during the launch and growth of AeroGCS and AeroGCS Enterprise, and how did those lessons influence the development of BhuMeet?
Anil Chandaliya: We began our journey in the drone industry in 2018, at a time when things seemed uncertain, almost dark. Our goal was to explore the scope of this technology and its applicability from a user perspective. The key question we asked ourselves was, ‘Can this technology add value for the customer or consumer?’ We realized the answer was yes, and so we started in 2018.
Since then, our journey has been about anticipating the future and working on it today. This is how we developed AeroGCS. When we launched AeroGCS Enterprise, we were thinking from a future perspective—predicting what businesses would need as they grow. We understood that AeroGCS Enterprise would be something large-scale operations would require, so we kept it ready in advance.
At that time, the demand wasn’t there yet, but when companies like IFFCO and Coromandel International approached us, saying, ‘Our operations are on a large scale, and we need data daily,’ we were able to respond immediately. We had the solution ready, and we could offer it right when the market needed it.
The same thought process applied to BhuMeet. We knew it was going to be essential, so we had already been working on the platform for a year and a half. We were just waiting for the right time. Now, with various government schemes like Kisan Drone, industry regulations, the PLI scheme, and Drone Didi, we are seeing greater adoption of this technology. As adoption grows, there is a clear need for a platform to collect and manage all the data, which is exactly why BhuMeet is so important.
TAM: You also mentioned that 70% of drone manufacturers in India are using your software. Why do you think that is? What is the competitive advantage you offer, and can you name some of those manufacturers?
Anil Chandaliya: There are various types of drones, and agricultural drones are one of them. Around 70% of agricultural drone manufacturers in India are using our software. How do we validate this? It’s quite simple—every drone provider must obtain a license from the Government of India, and they are listed on the government portal. We can see that our product name is mentioned in their licenses, which confirms our market share.
Why do manufacturers choose AeroGCS? Currently, they have four options: they can develop their own software, use open-source software, opt for Chinese software, or go for video-based solutions. Developing their own software is challenging because most drone manufacturers come from aeronautical or mechanical backgrounds, not software.
We are the only company in India with a commercial product of this kind, trusted by the most respected vendors. Among the four options available, they consistently choose us.
TAM: Your customers for BhuMeet are mainly farmers. Is there any grievance redressal mechanism on the platform?
Anil Chandaliya: Yes, regarding BhuMeet, we’ve been focused on empowering both drone manufacturers and service providers. First, we empowered drone manufacturers by integrating our software into their drones, and now we are extending that support to drone service providers. We already have established partnerships with several service providers, allowing us to onboard many users.
We are now taking it a step further by empowering farmers as well, creating a connection between manufacturers, service providers, and farmers. Currently, we have a rating mechanism in place for service providers. This ensures that if a service provider fails to deliver quality service after an order is placed, they are held accountable.
Over time, we plan to introduce service centers where users can reach out for assistance. If they need help, they can contact us, and we will work with our service providers to resolve any issues.
TAM: How does the BhuMeet platform work for farmers and drone service providers?
Anil Chandaliya: BhuMeet is designed to address the key challenges faced by drone service providers, pilots, and farmers, offering a streamlined and user-friendly experience for all parties involved.
BhuMeet for Farmers
Creating an account for farmers is a straightforward process. They only need to provide their name, the address of the area to be sprayed or surveyed, and a phone number. Once this information is entered, farmers can choose from available drone service providers based on their ratings. They can then finalize the deal by selecting the best price.
BhuMeet for Drone Service Providers and Pilots
A comprehensive toolset has been made available through the BhuMeet platform. Service providers are equipped with a range of tools to manage their human resources, drones, related equipment, virtual locations, and addresses. They can also manage customer lists and maintain communication with their clients. Essentially, BhuMeet functions as an enterprise resource planning platform, offering these tools to service providers at a very minimal cost.
Additionally, there is a third key component in the system: the drone pilots, who deliver the actual services. These pilots use a specialized app, similar to what drivers use on platforms like Ola or other aggregators. The app is essential for pilots to manage their daily schedules—knowing which farmer to visit first, second, and so on. Service providers assign tasks to the pilots, and the pilots, in turn, follow the sequence of requests, complete their jobs, update the status, and move on to the next task.
This entire process is managed through the pilot’s app, which is feature-rich and allows them to track and execute their tasks efficiently. The platform ensures that all three components—service providers, customers, and pilots—have access to robust applications to facilitate interaction and seamless service delivery. This is the core of how the system operates.
TAM: What impact do you expect BhuMeet to create in the market?
Anil Chandaliya: First of all, this market is poised to create a significant number of jobs. If we target spraying 10 crore acres over the next three years, this alone will generate at least 1 lakh direct pilot jobs. Indirectly, it will create a similar number of jobs, bringing the total to around 2 lakh new jobs.
From a market perspective, we estimate this to be a Rs 30,000 crore industry. Currently, this market isn’t fully digitized or supported by IT systems. By digitizing the entire Rs 30,000 crore market, it will benefit multiple stakeholders—helping to streamline operations, generate more revenue, and allow for better tracking and accounting. This could also help the government generate more GST revenue, ensuring benefits for everyone involved.
