Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar on 2 May 2022 inaugurated and addressed the conference on “Promoting Kisan Drones: Issues, Challenges and the Way Ahead” organized as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The minister said that the government is promoting the use of drones for the convenience of the farmers, reducing the cost and increasing the income. For promoting the use of Kisan Drones, the government is providing 50% or maximum Rs. 5 lakh subsidy to SC-ST, small and marginal, women and farmers of north-eastern states to buy drones. For other farmers, financial assistance will be given up to 40% or maximum Rs.4 lakh, Tomar said.
Talking about the multi-faceted use of drones in agriculture he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated the use of drones in agricultural activities in the wider interest of farmers. The Centre is promoting the use of 'Kisan Drone' for crop assessment, digitization of land records, spraying of pesticides and nutrients for which provision has also been made in the budget. Modernization of the country's agricultural sector is on the agenda of the government led by PM Modi.
Govt provides 100% subsidy to buy drones under SMAM scheme
Tomar added that to promote use of drones in agriculture and make drone technology affordable to the farmers and other stakeholders of this sector, monetary assistance @ 100 % cost of drones together with the contingent expenditure is extended under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) to the Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes, Institutions of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) for its demonstration on the farmer’s fields. Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) are given grants @ 75% for the purchase of drones for its demonstration on the farmers’ fields.
In order to provide agricultural services through drone application, financial assistance at 40% of the basic cost of drone and its attachments or Rs.4 lakhs, whichever less is also provided for drone purchase by existing and new Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) under Cooperative Society of Farmers, Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Rural entrepreneurs.
The agriculture graduates establishing CHCs are eligible to receive financial assistance at 50% of the cost of drone up to a maximum Rs.5 lakhs.
In addition to the already identified institutions for drone demonstration, other agricultural institutions of the state & central government, central public sector undertakings engaged in agricultural activities have also been brought in the eligibility list for financial assistance for farmers’ drone demonstration.
Agriculture Ministry is offering 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. The Government is also helping farmers access modern technology to improve the use efficiency of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and irrigation.
Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said that this new technology is aimed to reach more and more farmers, which will facilitate them, reduce the cost and increase their income. Under this vision of Prime Minister, work is being done expeditiously under the guidance of Minister Tomar. During the attack of locust, the government had also promptly used drones and helicopters for rescue.
Source - PIB
