This collaboration will set up training centers conforming to NSDC and ASCI standards and support trainees in launching agricultural input retail stores under DeHaat’s dealership model.
AVPL International on Thursday announced a partnership with DeHaat and Farmers City India Pvt Ltd to jointly train approximately 1.4 lakh agriculture and drone entrepreneurs across India over the next five years.
The collaboration aims to establish one of India’s largest integrated rural entrepreneurship ecosystems by linking skill development, agri-retail extension, drone technology deployment, electric mobility enablement and structured credit facility under an integrated framework, a media statement said.
Training and deployment model
AVPL and Farmers City will set up and operate training centers across India, where DeHaat and AVPL will train youth as per a curriculum aligned to NSDC and ASCI-certified standards, ensuring nationally recognized qualifications and industry-relevant competencies. The statement said that successful trainees will be assisted in setting up agricultural input retail stores under DeHaat’s dealership model.
Following the training, drone entrepreneurs will be deployed within DeHaat’s retail network under a structured Drone-as-a-Service framework. These services will support precision spraying, crop health monitoring and data-driven advisories aimed at improving agricultural productivity. The integrated retail-plus-drone approach seeks to create a cohesive rural service ecosystem by combining grassroots input, advice and technology deployment. The initiative will also promote EV-based enterprise opportunities as part of a comprehensive rural entrepreneurship strategy.
institutional loan assistance
To reduce entry barriers for first generation entrepreneurs, the association will facilitate access to institutional credit, including support under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan Yojana in Uttar Pradesh. Joint bankable project proposals will be developed to enable eligible trainees to secure funding and set up enterprises with structured financial support.
Preet Sandhu, Founder and Managing Director, AVPL International, said the initiative reflects the company’s long-term commitment to driving rural economic transformation through skills, technology and entrepreneurship.
Tarish Pratap Singh, head of Dehat Kisan Seva, said this collaboration will strengthen its retail ecosystem by adding trained agriculture and drone entrepreneurs to its network, thereby increasing farmer productivity while expanding rural livelihood opportunities.
Published on February 19, 2026
