Major fertiliser and pesticide manufacturing companies are actively promoting drone-based spraying technologies in response to farmers' needs
Visakhapatnam: Use of drones in agricultural activities has significantly expanded. Drones are now being widely used in various agricultural tasks, such as spreading seeds and fertilisers, identifying pests and spraying pesticides.
Major fertiliser and pesticide manufacturing companies are actively promoting drone-based spraying technologies in response to farmers' needs.
Major fertiliser and pesticide manufacturing companies are actively promoting drone-based spraying technologies in response to farmers' needsIn 2022–23, Andhra Pradesh used 2,200 tonnes of chemicals for applying to crops in fields. Incorporating drones into agricultural practices can reduce this consumption by 25 per cent. In other words, if farmers are together spending around ₹10,000 crores on chemicals, they can use drones and save ₹2,500 crore.
Further, if spraying fungicides and herbicides require 200 litres of water per acre, 10 litres is enough for a drone. It takes five to six hours to spray two acres of land by hand. But a drone can complete this task within five to six minutes.
Use of drones represents a substantial cost saving. Consumers also get food products with reduced chemical content. Using drones, farmers will not face health problems due to personally spraying pesticide. Drones will address labour scarcity problems.
Innovation Centre for Drone Technologies CEO Satish Saladi told Deccan Chronicle that use of drones in agriculture has led to creation of job opportunities, particularly for young engineers who have been trained as pilots to operate drones for agricultural activities.
Coromandel has launched a project involving 22 drones and 60 pilots for spraying pesticides in clusters from Ongole to Srikakulam. The company is charging ₹450 per acre for this service. Additionally, the company has announced that it will deploy 110 drones to serve Andhra Pradesh and Telangana this year.
It is estimated that at least 40,000 drone pilots are required in Andhra Pradesh alone.
Major fertiliser and pesticide manufacturing companies are actively promoting drone-based spraying technologies in response to farmers' needsIn 2022–23, Andhra Pradesh used 2,200 tonnes of chemicals for applying to crops in fields. Incorporating drones into agricultural practices can reduce this consumption by 25 per cent. In other words, if farmers are together spending around ₹10,000 crores on chemicals, they can use drones and save ₹2,500 crore.
Further, if spraying fungicides and herbicides require 200 litres of water per acre, 10 litres is enough for a drone. It takes five to six hours to spray two acres of land by hand. But a drone can complete this task within five to six minutes.
Use of drones represents a substantial cost saving. Consumers also get food products with reduced chemical content. Using drones, farmers will not face health problems due to personally spraying pesticide. Drones will address labour scarcity problems.
Innovation Centre for Drone Technologies CEO Satish Saladi told Deccan Chronicle that use of drones in agriculture has led to creation of job opportunities, particularly for young engineers who have been trained as pilots to operate drones for agricultural activities.
Coromandel has launched a project involving 22 drones and 60 pilots for spraying pesticides in clusters from Ongole to Srikakulam. The company is charging ₹450 per acre for this service. Additionally, the company has announced that it will deploy 110 drones to serve Andhra Pradesh and Telangana this year.
It is estimated that at least 40,000 drone pilots are required in Andhra Pradesh alone.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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