Department of Agriculture launched first of its kind “Agriculture Kisan Drone” at IETC Medziphema on September 1. The drone was inaugurated by director of Agriculture M.Ben Yanthan.
In his address, Yanthan said use of Kisan Drones was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 for crop assessment, digitization of land records, spraying of insecticides and nutrients. He also said the Ministry of Civil Aviation has notified the liberalized Drone Rules 2021.
It was for this reason, the department of Agriculture has launched the kisan drones and to first familiarize itself with the new technology, demonstrations at Department Research Stations and Farmers field will be conducted wherever feasible and need arises.
Yanthan also said to promote the use of drones in agriculture and to make drone technology affordable to the farmers and other stakeholders, the provisions have been made under the guidelines of Sub-Mission Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) and the department of agriculture have received sanctions for procurement of two drones under Component-4 of the SMAM Guideline during the financial year 2022-23 at the Subsidized financial assistance of 40 % of the total cost .
He said the drones will be placed at two important institutes of the department namely SARS and IETC and will be deployed to conduct drone various demonstration activities by the two trained pilots.
While highlighting on Dhaksha Agriculture drones, Medovilie Ladu JDA SMAM said that agriculture drone will empower the farmers to adapt to specific environments and make mindful choices accordingly.
During the programme, demonstration of Kisan Drone was presented by Thangaraj Smart Dhaksha Unmanned System Pvt.Ltd Chennai India. Welcome address was delivered by C. Peter Yanthan, Addl. Director and vote of thanks by Pikato Jimo Dy.DA SMAM.