In Madhya Pradesh, more than 120 farmers have sought permission to fly drones under the arrangement of the state government.
The government is not only helping farmers to get drone pilot’s license but also providing them subsidy to buy drones and get training.
The state has signed an agreement with Amethi-based Indira Gandhi National Flight Academy, an autonomous unit under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, to train farmers. According to government officials, the subsidized cost of training a farmer is Rs 30,000. The cost will be divided equally between the farmers and the government.
Joint Director of Agricultural Engineering Directorate Pawan Singh Shyam said that farmers will get subsidy as soon as they get the license. The Ministry of Agriculture provides 75 per cent subsidy up to Rs 7.5 lakh to Farmer Producer Organisations, 50 per cent subsidy up to Rs 5 lakh to women and SC/ST farmers and 40 per cent subsidy up to Rs 4 lakh to other farmers.
Drones will help farmers to spray pesticides and monitor their fields, thereby saving cost and time.
According to estimates, a farmer can spray an acre of land in about 15 minutes with the help of a drone.
first published: 24 August 2023 | 5:04 pm First