Gurugram, 19 February, 2026: AVPL International has announced a strategic association with DeHaat and Farmers City India Pvt. Ltd. (FCIPL) to jointly train approximately 1.4 lakh agri and drone entrepreneurs across India over the next five years. The initiative aims to build one of the country’s largest integrated rural entrepreneurship ecosystems by combining skill development, agri-retail expansion, drone deployment, electric mobility enablement, and structured credit facilitation under a unified framework.
The collaboration will operate under a structured “Technology-as-a-Service” model designed specifically for rural India, with the objective of ensuring that emerging technologies are delivered as organised services capable of strengthening local enterprises and modernising agricultural practices. By embedding technology within local ecosystems, the initiative seeks to encourage youth entrepreneurship and enhance farm productivity.
Under the programme, AVPL and Farmer’s City will establish and operate training centres across India. DeHaat and AVPL will train youth as per NSDC- and ASCI-certified curriculum standards to ensure nationally recognised qualifications and industry-relevant competencies. Successful trainees will be supported in establishing agri-input retail stores under DeHaat’s dealership model, improving last-mile access to farm inputs, advisory services, and technology solutions.
In addition, trained “Dronepreneurs” will be deployed within DeHaat’s retail network through a structured Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) framework. These services will include precision spraying, crop health monitoring, and data-driven advisory to improve farm efficiency and productivity. The integrated retail and drone approach is intended to create a cohesive rural service ecosystem combining inputs, advisory, and technology at the grassroots level. The initiative will also promote EV-led enterprise opportunities as part of its broader rural entrepreneurship strategy.
To reduce entry barriers for first-generation entrepreneurs, the partnership will facilitate access to institutional credit, including support under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (CM-YUVA) scheme in Uttar Pradesh. Jointly developed bankable project proposals will enable eligible trainees to secure structured financial backing to establish their enterprises.
Dr. Preet Sandhu, Founder and Managing Director, AVPL International, said, “At AVPL, we have always believed in staying on the front foot when it comes to promoting entrepreneurship in emerging sectors. The real potential of India lies in its rural youth, yet that potential often remains untapped due to lack of structured platform. Through our Technology-as-a-Service model, we are empowering rural youth to become job creators within their own region. This initiative reflects our long-term commitment to driving rural economic transformation through skill, technology and entrepreneurship.”
Tarish Pratap Singh, Head of Farmers Services, DeHaat, added, “This association will strengthen our retail ecosystem by embedding trained agri and drone entrepreneurs within our network. By combining advisory, inputs and technology services, we aim to enhance farmer productivity while expanding rural livelihood opportunities.”
With a focus on outcome-driven training, structured self-employment generation, and integrated service delivery, the collaboration aims to create a scalable model for rural economic development supported by technology adoption and enterprise creation.
x
.jpg)
