Lok Sabha Question No. 1568 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-26
Subject: Drones in Agriculture Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1568

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  JULY 2022

## DRONES IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR

1568. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is promoting the use of drones in the agriculture sector in order to facilitate the farmers to reduce the cost and increase the income;
- (b) whether any provision has been made to give special exemption to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), women and small and medium farmers for buying drones and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of works to be done through drone technique in agriculture and the guidelines issued by the Government in this regard;
- (d)  the  guidelines  related  to  grants  to  be  given  to  farmers  for  drone  technique  and  the information related to the use and safety of drone technique; and
- (e) the amount of grants to be allocated to the agricultural institutions for the purchase of drones and the number of drones purchased for States so far, Statewise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a)  to  (e):  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 Sub-Mission 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 lakhs is also provided for drone purchase by the Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) under Cooperative Society of Farmers, FPOs and Rural entrepreneurs. The agriculture graduates establishing

O.I.H.

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 for its 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.

- *****