Drone Technology in Agriculture

Syllabus :GS 3/Economy

In News

• Farmers in Bhagthala Khurd, Kapurthala, and Amritsar are using drones for spraying pesticides on their maize and moong crops

Drone Technology in Agriculture

• The Indian drone market for agriculture is in its initial stages but shows promising growth. 
• In Punjab, 93 out of 100 drones made available to farmers by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) under the Centre’s ‘NAMO Drone Didi’ scheme are already operational.
•  These drones cost Rs 16 lakh each, and come equipped with 12-litre water tanks.

Benefits 

• Health Protection: Drones reduce farmers’ direct exposure to harmful pesticides, which can lead to serious health issues like cancer and kidney ailments.
• Efficiency: Drones complete spraying tasks in 5-7 minutes per acre, compared to several hours manually.
  • They also ensure uniform application, improving crop yields.
  • Data from drones helps identify areas needing attention, which can lead to improved crop yields and increased profits.
• Nano Fertilisers: Drones handle nano fertilisers efficiently, ensuring uniform application of small quantities that are otherwise challenging to spread manually.
• Pest Control: Drones provide timely and effective application during pest infestations like pink bollworm, locusts, and whiteflies.
• Environmental Benefits: Drones can increase nutrient absorption from nano fertilisers to up to 90%, reducing runoff and pollution.
  • Leaf-based application is less polluting than soil-based methods.
• Water Conservation: Drones cut down water use by up to 90% compared to traditional pesticide application methods.
• Reduced Costs: Drones minimize the need for manual labor and reduce pesticide and chemical usage, lowering overall costs.
• Additional Uses: Drones are also being used for dropping seed balls (soil and cow dung balls with seeds) for potential reforestation projects.

Challenges of Adopting Drone Technology

• Job Loss: The use of drones may lead to reduced demand for manual labor, impacting job opportunities for laborers.
• Lack of Knowledge and Training: Farmers may lack the necessary skills and training to operate drones effectively.
• Cost: The high cost of drones can be a barrier for many farmers.
• Regulatory Barriers: There may be regulatory challenges that complicate the adoption of drones in agriculture.

Initiatives:

• The Digital India campaign aims to improve digital infrastructure and provide training.
• Organizations like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) are promoting precision agriculture technologies, including drones.
• Production linked incentive (PLI) scheme: This scheme offers a considerable financial push of Rs. 120 crore (US$ 14.39 million) to incentivise domestic drone manufacturing and reduce import reliance.
• Sub-mission on agricultural mechanization (SMAM): This initiative provides financial aid to farmers who purchase drones, making this technology more accessible.
• The Government of India has launched the Namo Drone Didi Scheme with an aim to empower the women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and to provide access to modern agricultural technology. 
• Support and Training: Efforts are being made to provide necessary training and support to farmers to overcome barriers to drone adoption.

Conclusion and Way Forward 

• Drone technology has the potential to revolutionize agriculture by enhancing efficiency, yields, and cost-effectiveness.
• Drones may revolutionise pesticide or fertiliser application in Punjab fields, which has traditionally been carried out manually either by hired labourers or the farmers themselves.
• Therefore It is crucial for farmers and policymakers to collaborate to address challenges and ensure that the benefits of drones are realized while mitigating any concerns.

Source:IE