The Unati Agri Allied and Marketing Multi-State Cooperative Society Limited (UAMMCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Marut Drone Academy (a 100% owned subsidiary of Hyderabad Based Marut Dronetech Pvt. Ltd.) to establish a state-of-the-art drone training academy with MRPD Govt. College, Talwara, in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. The RPTO shall be called Unati Marut Drone Academy and is the first RPTO in rural Punjab.
In alignment with national objectives to make India a drone hub by 2030 and to promote skill development in rural areas, the Academy will offer a comprehensive range of courses, including a DGCA Certified Drone Training Course, Agriculture Drone Spraying and Drone Repair & Maintenance course. The Academy is collaborating with Marut Drone Academy (MDA) – India’s leading drone training provider for various content and skill development trainings. The Academy aims to train 200 individuals annually and will also assist graduates in finding employment opportunities post-training. ‘Unati Marut Drone Academy’ will work in line with the various schemes of the Government of India and the Government of Punjab to foster rural entrepreneurship among the youth and women of Punjab.
Mr. Jyoti Saroop, Founder of UAMMCL, stated, “In line with Prime Minister Modi’s Namo Drone Didi scheme, Unati, in collaboration with Marut Drone Academy, is launching a DGCA-approved drone pilot training in Talwara with an aim to upskill women, as well as local youth and farmers. This collaboration is a significant step forward in our mission to upskill women for nation-building. Partnering with Marut Drone Academy will further our vision of equipping women with the essential skills to contribute to nation-building. Building on our successful track record of collaborations with leading technology industry partners, this initiative marks the beginning of many joint projects with Marut Drone Academy. Through specialised training methodologies as well as hands-on learning experiences, we will equip our students with the practical skills and competencies needed to become successful drone entrepreneurs. This will enable them to enhance their income and make meaningful contributions to their families while continuing to live in their villages, towns, cities, and state. Moreover, their employment shall further contribute to nation’s socio-economic development.”
Mr. Sai Kumar Chinthala, CEO of Marut Drone Academy, added, “Punjab, the breadbasket of India, faces solvable challenges in its agricultural sector. With increasing labor shortages, climate change, young work force migrating to other foreign lands and depleting natural resources, the need for innovative solutions to enhance crop productivity has never been more critical. We are proud to establish the first drone academy in the Talwara. This partnership aims to empower the rural community of Punjab, helping farmers and college students adopt drone technology to maximize their harvests this upcoming Rabi season. The adoption of drone technology in the region will create numerous job and business opportunities, offering a quick and profitable return on investment.”
India’s drone industry is projected to require 100,000 pilots by 2024, yet there are currently only 11,035 skilled drone pilots in the country. To bridge this gap, Marut Drone Academy (MDA) is committed to building an ecosystem for drone education in India. Through strategic partnerships with organizations like NIPHM, PJTSAU, and the Telangana State Aviation Academy, MDA is empowering the next generation of drone enthusiasts, having already trained 1,000+ drone pilots across the country.
With approximately 20% of all jobs in the drone industry focused on pilots, and the agriculture sector holding the largest potential for drone applications, the need for skilled professionals is critical. As an early mover in the drone technology sector, Marut Drone Academy is striving to scale up to meet the significant demand for manpower in the industry.
