Lok Sabha Question No. 2540 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: Kisan Drones for Spraying Agri-Chemicals
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Sanjay Bhatia

O.I.H.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2540 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  AUGUST, 2022

## KISAN DRONES FOR SPRAYING AGRI-CHEMICALS

† 2540. SHRI SANJAY BHATIA

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

(a)     whether 100 'Kisan Drones' have been manufactured to spray insecticides and other agrochemicals in different parts of the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b)     whether the said drones will work under the control of the Government or the farmers will have to purchase them on their own along with the details in this regard;

(c)        whether  the  Government  proposes  to  ensure  that  the  insecticides  and  other  agrochemicals are sprayed by the drones for the benefit of the farmers in Karnal Parliamentary Constituency; and

(d)       if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a)  to  (d):          To  promote  the  use  of  drones  in  agriculture,  the  Department  of  Agriculture  & Farmers Welfare has released the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for use of drones in pesticide and nutrient application, which provide concise instructions for effective and safe operations  of  drones.  In  order  to  make  drone  technology  affordable  and  available  to  the farmers and  other  stakeholders  of  this  sector,  financial  assistance  @  100  %  cost  of  drone (upto Rs. 10 lakhs per drone) together with the contingent expenditure is provided under SubMission  on  Agricultural  Mechanization  (SMAM)  to  the  Institutions  of  Indian  Council  of Agricultural  Research  (ICAR),  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendras  (KVKs),  State Agricultural  Universities (SAUs), State and other Central Government Agricultural Institutions/Departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of Government of India engaged in agricultural activities for its demonstration on the farmer's fields. Farmers Producers Organizations (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 up to a maximum of Rs. 4.00 lakhsis also provided for drone purchase by the Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) under Cooperative Society of Farmers, 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. The individual  Small  and  Marginal  Farmers,  Scheduled  Castes  (SCs)/Scheduled  Tribes  (STs) farmers,  Women  Farmers  and  the  Farmers  of  the  North  Eastern  States  are  also  provided assistance @  50% of the cost of drone up to a maximum of Rs. 5.00 lakhs and the other farmers @ 40% of the cost of drone up to a maximum of Rs. 4.00 lakhs.The Department so far has provided funds amounting to Rs.2.25 crores to the Government of Kerala for purchase of 14 drones and their demonstration in 4000 hectares through FPOs and Rs.52.50 crores to ICAR for purchase of 300 drones and their demonstrations in 75000 hectares through 100 KVKs, 75 ICAR Institutions and 25 SAUs across the country.The ICAR identified institutions for demonstration also include ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal.

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