Govt announces heavy subsidies to farmers for buying drones

For increasing the income of farmers, the government is promoting the use of drones through substantial subsidies, said Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar while inaugurating a conference on “Promoting Kisan Drones: Issues, Challenges and the Way Ahead”.

The government is providing 50% or maximum Rs. 5 lakh subsidies to SC-ST, small and marginal, women and farmers of north-eastern states to buy drones. For other farmers, financial assistance will be given upto 40 percent or maximum Rs.4 lakh, the Minister Added.

Speaking on the multi-faceted use of drones in agriculture, the Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has initiated the use of drones in agricultural activities in the wider interest of farmers.

‘Kisan Drone’ is useful in 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 Prime Minister Shri Modi, stated the Minister. FPOs are provided grants @ 75% for purchase of drones for its demonstration on the farmers’ fields.

In order to provide agricultural services through drone application, financial assistance @ 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 @ 50% of the cost of drone up to a maximum Rs.5.00 lakhs.

In addition to the already identified institutions for drone demonstration, other agricultural institutions of the state and 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.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Kailash Choudhary said that this new technology is aimed to reach more and more farmers, which will facilitate them, reduce the cost and increase their income.

Agriculture Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja said that the conditions are favorable to take drones to the farmers and the government is also committed in this regard. ICAR Director General Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra said that ICAR is contributing through research and training. With this, more and more farmers will be ready to use drones.

Joint Secretary Smt. Shomita Biswas delivered the welcome address. Additional Secretary Shri Prashant Kumar Swain proposed vote of thanks. Farmers and entrepreneurs of the drone, fertilizer and pesticide sector, start-up operators, representatives of IFFCO and KVK were present in the conference.