Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off 100 Kisan drones in different cities and towns across India on Friday to spray pesticides in farms around the country as part of a special initiative aimed at assisting farmers.
The Prime Minister, speaking on the occasion, remarked, "This is a new chapter in the development of 21st-century agricultural facilities. I am convinced that this beginning will not only prove to be a watershed moment in the drone industry's development, but will also open the door to a world of limitless possibilities."
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a big stimulus for agriculture and farming at the Budget 2022-23 announcement.
Specifically, Sitharaman stated that during the fiscal year 2022-23, the Centre will encourage Kisan Drones, chemical-free natural farming, and public-private partnerships for the supply of digital and high-tech services to farmers across the country. Kisan Drones would be supported for crop evaluation, digitization of land data, and spraying of insecticides and nutrients, she stated, emphasising the use of technology.
In order to encourage drone use in agriculture, the Union Agriculture Ministry has issued funding guidelines to make this technology inexpensive by helping in purchase, hiring & demonstrations of agricultural drones.
The "submission on agricultural mechanization" (SMAM) scheme envisions ICAR institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and State agriculture colleges receiving up to 100 percent or Rs.10 lakh in grant funds for drone purchases. It gives Farmer producer organizations (FPOs) with a grant of up to 75% of the cost of purchasing a drone. The financial assistance and grants will be accessible until March 31, 2023.
A contingency expenditure of Rs.6000 per hectare would be provided to implementing agencies that hire drones for demonstrations. A contingent expenditure of Rs.3000 per hectare would be made available to implementing agencies that purchase drones for drone demonstrations.
