Last updated on August 8th, 2023 at 04:27 pm
Data supporting the drone application are generated by scientific studies. have been managed by many research organizations.
Many research organizations have conducted pilot studies with different approaches, such as the use of remote sensing technology, including satellite data and drone-based images, especially for crop-cutting experiments, planning, direct yield estimation at the gram panchayat level, risk mapping of the district, and dispute/area discrepancy resolution.
Mahalanobis National Crop Forecasting Centre (MNCFC) has conducted.
Farmers find drones helpful in agriculture because of their high field capacity and efficiency, shorter turnaround time, and other field operational advantages, like less pesticide and fertilizer wastage due to a high degree of atomization, water savings due to ultra-low volume spraying technology, and reduced cost of spraying and fertilizer application in comparison to conventional methods. In addition to reducing human exposure to hazardous chemicals.
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has released the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which provide concise instructions for effective and safe operations of drones for pesticide and nutrient application, looking into the advantages of drone technologies in agriculture.
The guidelines/protocols for registration requirements of pesticides for drone application have been prescribed by the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC).
The protocols for photo-toxicity evaluation and bio-efficacy evaluation of pesticide formulation have also been finalized. The following provisions have been made under the guidelines of the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) being implemented by DA&FW to promote the use of drone technology in agriculture:
- Financial assistance will be provided at 100% of the cost of an agricultural drone, up to a maximum of Rs. 1,00,000. Drones can be purchased by institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), State and other Central Government Agricultural Institutions/Departments, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of the Government of India engaged in agricultural activities, with 10 lakhs per drone being provided.
The Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) are provided grants up to 75% of the cost of an agricultural drone for its demonstrations on the farmers’ fields.
If an implementing agency does not want to purchase a drone, a contingency expenditure of Rs. 6000 per hectare is provided to hire a drone for a demonstration from a Custom Hiring Centre, Hi-tech Hub, Drone Manufacturer, or Start-Up. The amount that implementing agencies can spend on purchasing drones for drone demonstrations is limited to Rs. 3000 per hectare.
2. The government will provide financial assistance of 40% up to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakhs to make drone services available to farmers on a rental basis. Four lakh rupees are provided for the purchase of drones by Custom Hiring Centers under the Cooperative Society of Farmers, FPOs, and Rural Entrepreneurs. Graduates of agriculture who establish Custom Hiring Centers are eligible to receive financial assistance of 50% of the cost of the drone, up to a maximum of Rs. 5 lakhs per drone.
3. For individual purchase of drones, farmers who are Small and Marginal, Scheduled Caste/Scheduled tribes, Women, or from a North Eastern State are provided financial assistance @ 50% of the cost up to a maximum of Rs.50,000/-. 5.00 lakhs and other farmers will receive 40% up to a maximum of Rs. 4 lakhs.
