Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar has said that the government has released Rs. 126.99 crore towards Kisan Drone promotion.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, the union minister said that the released funds include Rs. 52.50 crore released to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for purchase of 300 Kisan Drones and organising their demonstrations on the farmers’ fields in 75,000 hectares through 100 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, 75 ICAR institutions and 25 state agriculture universities. The released funds will go to various state governments for supply of more than 300 Kisan Drones to farmers on subsidy and setting up of more than 1,500 Kisan Drone Custom Hiring Centers to provide drone services to farmers.
The Centre is promoting the adoption of Kisan Drones by the farmers, as its use not only supports agriculture, but also provides ample opportunities of employment to people in rural areas. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is also aiming at building standard operating procedures to provide concise instructions for effective and safe operations of drones for pesticide and nutrient application. Financial assistance is also provided under the Centre’s Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization.
