Lok Sabha Question No. 2755 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: New Revolution in Agriculture Sector in Gujarat
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2755 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  DECEMBER 2023

## NEW REVOLUTION IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR IN GUJARAT

2755.  SHRI JASWANT SINGH BHABHOR:

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to bring a new revolution in agriculture sector in Gujarat; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the number of drones, procured and the name of places where the said drones were utilised in Agriculture Sector during the last three years; (d) whether the Government proposes to recruit youth as drone pilots; and

(e) if so, the action plan thereof in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी

## (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

(a) to (e): Agriculture  is  a  State  subject.  Government  of  India  supports  and facilitates the State Governments including Gujarat through many Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector Schemes to promote agriculture throughout the country and to help small and marginal farmers to gain access to modern agriculture technology.  Use of drones in agriculture have distinct advantages like increased efficiency, cost effectiveness due to reduction in cost of spraying, saving of fertilizers and pesticides due to  high  degree of atomization,  saving of  water  due to  ultra-low volume spraying  etc. besides reduction of human exposure to hazardous chemicals. The use of drones in agriculture  also  have  catalytic  effect  in  creating  both  direct  as  well  as  indirect employment  in  the  agriculture  sector.  As per the information  provided  by  the Government of Gujarat, the Department of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare & Cooperation of  the  State  has  taken  a  special  programme  from  year  2022-23  for  use  of  drone technology  in  agriculture  specifically  for  spraying  of  water  soluble  fertilizer  including

O.I.H.

nano  urea  and  spraying  of  crop  protection  chemicals/Fertilizer  Control  Order  (FCO) approved liquid fertilizers/bio-fertilizers.

The  Department  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare,  under  Sub-Mission  on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) has provided central funds amounting to Rs. 52.50 Crores to   Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for purchase of Kisan Drones and organizing their demonstrations on the farmers' fields through 100 Kishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), 75 ICAR institutions and 25 State Agriculture Universities (SAUs). 263 Kisan Drones have been procured by 193 Institutions of ICAR across the country. 260 personnel from these institutions have undergone Drone Pilot Training. With a view to create awareness  on the advantages of drone in agriculture, these Institutions have carried out 15,075 drone demonstrations on nutrients, fertilizers, chemicals (insect & pest) applications following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering 16,471 hectare area. The institutions identified by ICAR  for providing drones in the State of Gujarat are enclosed as Annexure-I.

The Union Government has also recently approved 'Namo Drone Didi' Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay  of  Rs.  1261  Crores.  The  scheme  aims  to  provide  drones  to  15000  selected Women  SHGs  for  providing  rental  services  to  farmers  for  agriculture  purpose (application of fertilizers and pesticides). Of the total 15,000 drones, first 500 drones will be  procured  by  Lead  Fertilizer  Companies  (LFCs)  in  2023-24,  using  their  internal resources for distribution to selected SHGs. Remaining  14500 drones will be provided under this scheme during 2024-25 and 2025-26 and  Central Financial Assistance @ 80% of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of Rs. 8.0 lakhs will be provided to the women SHGs  for purchase of drones. The Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) of SHGs may raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as loan under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF).  Interest subvention @ 3% on the AIF loan will be provided to the CLFs.   Under this scheme, one of the members from each selected  women SHGs will be provided  drone pilot training  and  other  member/  family  member  of  the  SHGs  will  be  trained  as  drone technician/assistant. The scheme will help in infusing advance technology in agriculture for  improved  efficiency,  enhanced  crop  yield  and  reduced  cost  of  operation  for  the benefit of farmers. The scheme will also provide sustainable business and livelihood support to SHGs and they would be able to earn additional income of at least Rs. 1.0 lakhs per annum.

Annexure-I

## Institutions identified by ICAR  for providing drones in the State of Gujarat

|   S. No. | Name of the Institution                                                            |
|----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Navsari NAU Campus, Distt. Navsari-396 450                   |
|        2 | Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dethali, Distt. Kheda-378210                                 |
|        3 | Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Panchmahal (CIAH) Vejalpur (Godhra) Distt. Panchmahal-389340 |
|        4 | Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kodinar Taluka, Distt. Junagadh                              |
|        5 | ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh                                   |
|        6 | ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Anand                  |
|        7 | Anand Agricultural University (AAU), Anand                                         |
|        8 | Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU), Junagarh                                   |

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