In recent years, the Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been actively promoting modern technology in agriculture and aiming to revolutionize the agricultural market. One such technology that is set to rejuvenate agriculture is the use of agricultural drones. These high-tech devices offer numerous benefits, from reducing time and costs to contributing to environmental conservation. In this blog post, we will explore the significant impact of agricultural drones on farming practices, the government’s initiatives to promote their usage, and India’s emergence as a drone manufacturing hub.
Agricultural Drones: Precision Farming Made Easy
Agricultural drones are equipped with state-of-the-art GPS-based navigation systems and sensors, making them an invaluable tool for precision farming. They provide accurate information throughout the entire farming process, from seed planting to water and pest management. The use of sensor technology and intelligence systems allows these drones to plant seeds rapidly over large areas, directly into the soil. Unlike traditional satellite images, drone-captured pictures offer greater accuracy, enabling farmers to monitor even small areas effectively.
Transforming Farming Practices
One of the primary applications of agricultural drones is spraying fertilizers, chemicals, and pesticides in the fields. By using drones for this task, farmers can save time and labor significantly. Moreover, the drones spray the right amount of pesticides and fertilizers, preventing excessive chemical usage and preserving the land’s fertility. A single agricultural drone can spray pesticides over an acre of land in just 20 minutes, making the process highly efficient.
Environmental Benefits
Traditional manual spraying of pesticides often leads to overuse, posing environmental risks. Agricultural drones, on the other hand, ensure targeted and precise application, minimizing the adverse effects on the environment. Additionally, drones can identify areas with waterlogging or dry conditions, enabling accurate irrigation planning. By efficiently managing large areas, including difficult and mountainous regions, drones contribute to sustainable farming practices.
Government Initiatives to Promote Drone Usage
Recognizing the potential of agricultural drones in transforming India’s agricultural landscape, the Modi government has taken several steps to promote their adoption. Under the Digital India campaign, the government aims to create digital infrastructure in rural areas, facilitating crop mapping, soil testing, and irrigation using information technology. In the budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to use drones for crop assessment, digitization of land records, and pesticide spraying under inclusive development.
Encouraging Subsidies and Support
To make drone technology accessible to farmers, the government is providing subsidies for their purchase. Small and marginal farmers, women farmers, Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and farmers from the North East can avail up to 50% subsidy or a maximum of five lakh rupees. Other farmers can receive 40% subsidy or up to four lakh rupees, and farmer producer organizations can obtain up to 75% subsidy on drone purchases. Institutes like Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and State Agricultural Universities are also eligible for 100% subsidy for acquiring drones.
India as a Drone Manufacturing Hub
With the drone industry currently valued at Rs 5,000 crore, it is projected to reach Rs 15,000 crore by 2026. To bolster the growth of the drone manufacturing sector, the government launched the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for drones and drone parts. Additionally, India is set to showcase its progress in drone manufacturing through the International Drone Conference in Delhi.
Conclusion
The integration of agricultural drones into India’s farming practices marks a transformative step in the country’s agricultural sector. With their ability to provide accurate information, reduce costs, save time, and protect the environment, drones offer tremendous benefits to farmers and the nation’s food security. Thanks to the Modi government’s initiatives, including subsidies and support, India is poised to become a global hub for drone manufacturing. As these technological advancements continue to gain momentum, the future of agriculture in India looks brighter than ever before.
