Kothari industries has announced that FJ Global and Investment, owned by Qatar’s Royal Family, will acquire a significant stake in the company. Kothari Industries has announced to invest in drone technology for agriculture and footwear production.

Speaking exclusively to India Today TV, Kothari Industries Vice President and Chairman Rafiq Ahmed said that the involvement of Qatar’s Royal Family will accelerate the company’s growth and would benefit the Indian economy. KICL plans to expand its operations into drone technology for agriculture and footwear production.

Rafiq Ahmed highlighted the company’s initiatives to address challenges in agriculture.

“With 60 per cent of our population dependent on agriculture, modern methods like drones for liquid fertiliser application can revolutionise farming. A single drone can fertilise several hundred acres in a day. We are starting drone schools to train farmers, simplifying the technology to ensure accessibility for those with basic education,” he said.

He also revealed a pilot project involving drone-assisted policing in Besant Nagar, Chennai—the first of its kind in India.

“Using AI-driven drones, we partnered with young entrepreneurs to enhance police surveillance. This was made possible with support from the Tamil Nadu Government and DGP Shankar Jiwal. We aim to expand this technology across the nation,” he added.

Ahmed said the potential economic impact of the partnership with the Qatar Royal Family. “I met Sheikh Falah Jassim Al-Thani to discuss a fertiliser project leveraging Qatar’s surplus ammonia from urea production to manufacture Diammonium Phosphate in India. Their initial misconceptions about India were dispelled, paving the way for this significant investment, which will benefit Tamil Nadu and the country,” he said.

Looking ahead, KICL is planning a second footwear factory that will provide employment to 13,000 women. The company’s first factory, producing Crocs footwear in partnership with a Taiwanese brand, has already employed 2,000 women.

“This new factory will be a game-changer, and an announcement will be made soon,” Rafiq Ahmed said.