Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, through the Press Information Bureau, has released a press note on Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Application of Pesticides with Drones. This SOP was released on 20th April, 2023.
A booklet titled “Machinery for Millets Production, Processing and Value Addition” has also been released.
Furthermore, the release also states that under the Agricultural Mechanization Sub-Mission, ICAR institutes, KVKs, SAUs, other State/Central Government Agricultural Institutes and Government of India PSUs engaged in agricultural activities are provided financial assistance at the rate of 100% of the drone cost (up to Rs. 10 lakh per drone) besides Contingent Expenses for the purpose of demonstration of drones in the farmers’ fields. FPOs are given grant-in-aid at the rate of 75% for purchase of drones for demonstration on farmers’ fields. For the purpose of providing agricultural services through the use of drones, financial assistance is given at the rate of 40% of the original cost of the drone by CHCs to Farmers Cooperative Society, FPOs and Rural Entrepreneurs for the purchase of drones, subject to a maximum of Rs. 4 lakh.
