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ATM News Network: In a bid to explore innovative solutions for modernizing agricultural practices, Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde has directed agricultural universities across the state to initiate pilot projects utilizing drones during the ongoing kharif season. The purpose of these projects is to assess the viability of using drones for various agriculture-related tasks. Minister Munde shared his perspective during a meeting held to review the progress of the project and inaugurate the drone training center at Mahatma Phule Agricultural University under the Remote Pilot (Drone) Training Organization (RPTO), which is being expanded to other universities as well.
Present at the meeting were Additional Chief Secretary of the Agriculture Department, Anup Kumar, Deputy Secretary Santosh Karad, research officers, professors, and representatives from the relevant departments of the University of Agriculture.
Minister Munde highlighted the decreasing availability of labor for daily agricultural tasks and the rising wage rates when labor is accessible. He emphasized the need to employ drones for tasks such as fertilizer and pesticide spraying, given the fluctuating labor dynamics. The government has initiated efforts to implement this approach, and Minister Munde urged universities to study the economic implications of using drones for these operations.
To determine the economic feasibility, Minister Munde suggested that universities deploy drones on 100-acre plots encompassing a variety of crops like cotton, soybean, rice, tur, and sugarcane. The aim is to compile a comparative report on production costs incurred by farmers when utilizing drones versus traditional manpower. The findings of this study will subsequently guide the government in formulating policies pertaining to drone usage in daily agricultural practices across the state.
Minister Munde also highlighted the potential for spraying nano urea through drones, emphasizing the role of agricultural universities in setting a pioneering example in the country.
As Maharashtra's agricultural landscape evolves, Minister Munde's forward-looking approach signals a transformative shift towards embracing technological innovations to optimize farming practices. The results of these pilot projects will undoubtedly shape the future of agriculture in the state.
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