Lok Sabha Question No. 1400 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1400 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  DECEMBER 2023

## SUB-MISSION ON AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION

1400.  SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

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

- (a) whether any efforts have been made by the Government to promote the use of kisan drones for tech-driven farming, reducing the cost and increasing the income of farmers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the  details  of  grants  available  under  Sub-  Mission  on  Agricultural  Mechanization (SMAM) to Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes, Institutions of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Agricultural Universities  (SAUs)  and  Farmers  Producers  Organizations  (FPOs)  for  the  purchase  of Kisan drones?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

(a) to (c): 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.

Under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)  financial assistance @ 100% of the cost of drone up to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakhs per drone is provided for  its purchase and  demonstration on the farmers' fields by the institutes under Indian Council of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR),  Farm  Machinery  Training  &  Testing  Institutes,  Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Agriculture Universities  (SAUs),  State  and  other  Central Government Agricultural Institutions/Departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of  Government  of  India  engaged  in  agricultural  activities.  The  Farmers  Producers

Organizations (FPOs) are provided grants up to 75% of the cost of Kisan Drone for its demonstrations on the farmers' fields. A contingency expenditure of Rs.6000 per hectare is provided to these implementing agencies that do not want to purchase drones but will hire drones for demonstrations from Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), Hi-tech Hubs, Drone Manufacturers and Start-Ups. The contingent expenditure to implementing agencies that purchase drones for drone demonstrations is limited to Rs.3000 per hectare. In order to make available drone services to farmers on rental basis, financial assistance @ 40% up to  a  maximum  of  Rs.  4.00  lakhs  are  provided  for  purchase  of  drones  by  CHCs  under Cooperative  Society  of  Farmers,  FPOs and  Rural  entrepreneurs.  Agriculture  graduates establishing CHCs are eligible to receive financial assistance @ 50% of the cost of drone up  to  a  maximum  of  Rs.5.00  lakhs  per  drone.  For  purchase  of  drones  on  individual ownership basis, the Small and Marginal, Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe, Women and North Eastern State farmers are provided financial assistance @ 50% of the cost up to a maximum of Rs. 5.00 lakhs and other farmers @ 40% up to a maximum of Rs. 4.00 lakhs.

Under SMAM, funds amounting to Rs. 141.39 crores have been released towards Kisan Drone promotion which includes Rs. 52.50 crores released to the ICAR for purchase of  Kisan Drones and organizing their demonstrations on the farmers' fields through 100 KVKs,  75  ICAR  institutions  and  25  SAUs.  The  funds  have  been  provided  to  the  State Governments for supply of 461 Kisan Drone to farmers on subsidy and establishment of 1585 Kisan Drone CHCs to provide drone services to the farmers. 263 Agri-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 Government has also recently approved 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. 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.

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