Drones Take Flight in Rajasthan, Helping Farmers Soar to New Heights

The arid landscapes of Rajasthan are experiencing a technological revolution that's reshaping the way farmers cultivate their lands. Drone technology is now extending its wings into the heart of India, and its potential impact on agriculture is nothing short of revolutionary. This shift towards innovation was kick-started around one-and-a-half years ago in Rajasthan's Sriganganagar district when drones made their debut on the agricultural stage.

Drones for Precision Farming

At present, two farmers in the region are proud owners of drones, while three more offer their services on rent for a modest fee of Rs 250 per bigha (approximately 0.2 hectares). The cost of a single agricultural drone can be a staggering Rs 10 lakh, making it an expensive investment for individual farmers. However, this hasn't deterred the adoption of drone technology in farming.

The pioneers in introducing drones to Rajasthan's farming are IoTechWorld Avigation Private Limited, based in Gurugram. Over the past year and a half, drones have been a crucial device in spreading fertilizers and pesticides across the fields of approximately 150 farmers in the region.

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Drones Changing Lives, Boosting Yields

Ashish Beniwal, a young farmer from Rajasthan, has used drones to reduce his pesticide and fertilizer costs by 85% without sacrificing crop yield.

Beniwal spent Rs 2 lakh on pesticides and fertilizers for his 30 bighas of land last year. After taking drone training and acquiring a pilot's license, he was able to reduce his costs to Rs 25,000 this year.

Drones are changing the lives of farmers by helping them to use pesticides and fertilizers more efficiently and effectively. They also help farmers to monitor their crops and identify pests and diseases early on.

This is a good example of how technology can be used to improve the lives of farmers and boost agricultural productivity.

Elevating Crop Management

Kuldeep Jalap from Rawla in Sriganganagar district also experienced the advantages of using drones for pesticide spraying on his cotton crop. Notably, only half the amount of pesticide was required compared to the previous year, and the drone's precision was particularly effective in weed control in his 10-bigha moong (green gram) cultivation.

Sarwan Ram Beniwal, a 60-year-old farmer from Naiwala, has also benefited from drone-assisted pesticide spraying. He experimented with drone spraying on 4 bighas of paddy last year and was so impressed that he extended it to all 80 bighas this year. Drones can cover 20 bighas in a few hours, compared to 10 bighas per day for manual spraying.

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Government Initiatives and Subsidies

The Rajasthan government is subsidizing drones for farmers and young agriculture graduates to transform the state's agriculture sector. Drones can spray pesticides on up to 30 acres of land per day, using less water and fewer pesticides than traditional methods. This is helping farmers to save time, money, and resources, while also reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.

Drones are also helping farmers to improve their productivity and ensure sustainability in crop management. This is a new era in farming for Rajasthan, and drones are at the forefront of this revolution.

Conclusion

Rajasthan's farmers are witnessing a transformation in agriculture with the adoption of drone technology. These aerial assistants are not only improving productivity but also taking a step forward towards a new era in farming practices, ensuring sustainability and efficiency in crop management.

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