Alappuzha Paddy Farmers Embrace Drone Technology

UAVs have been used for aerial plant spraying on more than 10,000 acres in the district so far this season, up from 6,000 acres the previous season, according to sprayer drone operators and officials.

At Kuttanad and adjacent areas of Alappuzha, where the "puncha" (first) agricultural season is currently in full swing, drones are being used to apply micronutrients, nano-urea, and biopesticides to plants and conduct airborne assessments.

An acre of paddy fields can be sprayed for about Rs. 800, which includes the cost of micronutrients and Rs. 700 for drone rental. The Agricultural Department and organizations like the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) are working tirelessly to dispel public fears about drone technology in agriculture by holding demonstrations and classes.

"Farmers are becoming increasingly interested in UAVs. Drone technology, like combine harvesters, will be widely adopted by farmers in the near future. Individual farmers will receive a 40% subsidy for purchasing drones as part of the Central government's Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization scheme, while farmer groups will receive up to an 80% subsidy," says Sibi T. Neendissery, Principal Agricultural Officer, Alappuzha, adding that more sprayer drone operators are required.

In the last two puncha seasons, the KVK, Alappuzha, has used the technology on 225 acres spread across five polders on an experimental basis. "The outcomes are favorable. Some padasekhara samithis (paddy polders) have switched to drone technology as a result of our demonstrations," says P. Muralidharan, senior scientist and head of KVK, Alappuzha.

Even though drones are used to spray secondary nutrients, micronutrients, nano-urea, and biopesticides, no permission has been granted to use UAVs to apply chemical pesticides and other fertilizers.

Devan Chandrasekharan, Managing Director of Fuselage Innovations, an Alappuzha-based start-up that operates sprayer drones, says they have reduced drone rental rates from Rs. 800 to Rs. 700 after more farmers adopted the technology this season.

Source- The Hindu

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