Lok Sabha Question No. 2240 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-15
Subject: Drone Technology
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Ravi Kishan Shukla, Sunita Duggal, Ravindra Kushawaha, Su Thirunavukkarasar, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Adoor Prakash, Sudheer Gupta, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Prataprao  Jadhav

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2240

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  MARCH 2022

## DRONE TECHNOLOGY

2240. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI RAVI KISHAN:

SHRIMATI SUNITA DUGGAL:

SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA:

SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to purchase drones for farming purposes to promote drone technology in agriculture sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has earmarked any funds for the said purpose;
- (c)  if  so,  the  details  of  funds  sanctioned/likely  to  be  sanctioned  for  the  current year and next two years;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to provide any subsidy for the purchase of drones to the farmers and other stakeholders of the sector to make it affordable for them and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  issued  any  standard  operating  procedure  for usage of drone in agriculture and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  whether  the  drone  user  has  to  obtain  a  Unique  identification  Number  and Unamanned Aircraft Operator Permit from DGCA before initiating any operation and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी

(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (f): Looking  into the unique advantages  of  Drone  technologies  in agriculture,  the  Department  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers Welfare  has  released  the Standard  Operating  Procedures  (SOPs)  for  use  of  drones  in  pesticide  and nutrient  application  in  public  domain  in  December  2021,  which  provide  concise instructions  for  effective  and  safe  operations  of  drones.  In  order  to  make  this technology  affordable  to  the  farmers  and  other  stakeholders  of  this  sector, financial  assistance  @  100  %  cost  of  drone  together  with  the  contingent expenditure is  extended under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) to the Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes, Institutions of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Vigyan Kendra  (KVK)  and  State Agricultural  Universities  (SAUs)  for  its  demonstration  on  the  farmer's  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.  Funds  are  released  for  Drone technology  promotion  based  on  the  proposals  received  from  various  eligible entities under the scheme and during the current year, so far an amount of Rs. 2.25  Crores  have  been  released  towards  this.  The  Ministry  of  Civil  Aviation (MoCA) has published 'Drone Rules 2021' to regulate the use and operation of Drones in India, which have to be complied for all Drone operations and as per these rules  the  Unique  Identification  Number  for  drone  operation  is  necessary. However,  the  requirement  of  Unmanned  Aircraft  Operator  Permit  has  been waived off.

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