Indian Government aggressive on promoting drone use in agriculture

Union Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar launched the conference on “Promoting Drones for farming: Issues, Challenges and the Way Ahead” today at New Delhi.

Addressing the conference, Mr. Tomar informed that the government is promoting the use of drones for the convenience of the farmers, reducing the cost and to increase their income.

Discounts on purchase of drones have been provided to various categories. Guidelines have also been issued to provide financial assistance for individual drone purchase, under which 50 percent of the drone cost or a maximum assistance of Rs 5 lakh will be given for the purchase of drones for SC-ST farmers, small and marginal land holding farmers, women and farmers of the northeastern states. Other farmers will get an assistance of 40 percent or maximum Rs. 4 lakh on purchase of drones.

Mr. Tomar told Krishak Jagat, “In order to make this technology affordable to farmers and other stakeholders the State Agricultural Universities will be provided assistance at the rate of 100% of the cost for the purchase of drones. Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) will be given a grant of up to 75% of the agricultural drone cost for demonstration on the fields.”

For providing agriculture services by drones, existing and new Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) under Farmers Cooperative Society and Rural Entrepreneurs will be given financial assistance at the rate of 40% of the original cost of the drone and its associated parts or Rs. 4 lakh whichever is less. Agriculture graduates setting up CHCs will get a maximum of Rs. 5 lakh or 50% of the drone cost.

In addition to the already identified institutions for drone demonstration, other agricultural institutions of the state and central government, central public sector undertakings engaged in agricultural activities have also been brought in the eligibility list for financial assistance to farmers for drone demonstration.

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is providing assistance to the State Governments through several schemes to promote agriculture across the country and to increase the production and productivity, besides reducing the human labor associated with various agricultural activities. and helping farmers access modern technology to improve the use efficiency of inputs such as irrigation water.