In a country where agriculture supports nearly 60% of the population but continues to grapple with outdated tools and fragile incomes, the seeds of change are being sown by a quiet tech revolution. At the heart of it is AgriOwn Farm Tech, a startup on a mission to make drone technology accessible, affordable, and empowering for India’s smallest farmers.

We recently sat down with Reena Chaudhary and Mihir Shah, the brother-sister duo behind AgriOwn, whose journey began not in boardrooms or labs, but in the dusty heartlands of Maharashtra, marked by tragedy, resilience, and a bold vision.

Born from Loss, Built with Purpose

For Reena, AgriOwn was never just another startup idea. It was personal. After hearing about the death of several farmers due to direct exposure to harmful pesticides, she knew something had to change.

“It shook me,” she said, pausing as memories surfaced. “No one should risk their life just to grow food. We had to rethink the way farming works at the grassroots level.”

With Mihir’s technical expertise and her deep empathy for the farming community, the two set out to build a solution that wouldn’t just digitize agriculture—it would humanize it.

Use, Don’t Own: Drones for the Many, Not the Few

In most startup stories, high-tech often means high-cost. But AgriOwn flipped the narrative by creating a drone rental model tailored for small and marginal farmers. The idea? Let farmers “use, not own” expensive drone equipment for tasks like pesticide spraying, soil health checks, and crop monitoring.

“We charge by the acre or by the hour,” Mihir explained. “This way, farmers don’t have to worry about big investments—they just get results.”

It’s a model that has resonated far beyond expectations, helping farmers increase yield while drastically reducing their exposure to toxic chemicals.

Creating Change, One Drone Operator at a Time

But the magic doesn’t stop at the drones. AgriOwn is quietly building a parallel revolution—an army of rural micro-entrepreneurs. Locals are trained to become certified drone operators, offering services in their villages while earning between ₹60,000 and ₹80,000 per month.

“The idea is simple,” Mihir smiled. “Technology should not replace people—it should empower them.”

Since 2021, AgriOwn has nurtured over 102 such drone-preneurs, touching the lives of more than 25,000 farmers across Gujarat. And the ripple effects have only just begun.

From Dirt Roads to Data Streams

AgriOwn’s drones aren’t just flying machines; they’re data-gathering powerhouses. With built-in AI and IoT capabilities, the company enables hyper-precision farming—ensuring fertilizers are used where needed, water is conserved, and crop health is monitored in real-time.

These innovations are particularly vital in a country where over 80% of farmers own less than two hectares of land. Every inch, every rupee, every drop matters.

Thanks to government support, subsidies, and corporate partnerships with giants like IFFCO, ITC and PepsiCo, AgriOwn is now expanding its reach into Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

“We’re not building a business,” Mihir insisted. “We’re building a movement.”

The Woman Who Planted the First Seed

Behind this movement is a woman who defied the odds to lead it. Reena Chaudhary, once a commerce student and now a beacon in Indian agri-tech, balances her role as COO with being a single mother.

“I knew nothing about agriculture when I started,” she admitted with a laugh. “But I knew how to listen. The farmers became my teachers.”

Her story is one of grit and grace. She credits her brother Mihir for standing by her side, but also highlights the role of self-belief and sheer determination.

“Women can lead anywhere—yes, even in tractors and fields,” she said, her eyes gleaming with pride.

The Unsung Role of Media in Making Startups Seen

While AgriOwn’s growth has been powered by technology, it’s visibility that fuels scale—and this is where media platforms like Indian Startup Times step in. Mihir shared candidly how tough it can be for startups to cut through the noise.

“Our challenge isn’t just building the tech. It’s getting the right people to know we exist,” he said. “That’s why we’re grateful for platforms like yours. You connect us to investors, changemakers, and dreamers.”

What’s Next: Growing More Than Crops

From saving lives to creating livelihoods, AgriOwn’s story is rooted in empathy and innovation. They’re not just flying drones—they’re lifting aspirations, nurturing micro-economies, and redrawing the map of Indian agriculture, one village at a time.

As Reena and Mihir fly their drones over farmlands, they’re also sowing the seeds of a more inclusive and sustainable future—one where no farmer is left behind in accessing technology, and every acre has the chance to thrive.

– Interview Conducted By Priyanka Chatterjee