Syllabus Section: Agriculture (GS Paper III)

Importance: UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains

Why in News?

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued guidelines to make drone technology affordable to the stakeholders of this sector.

About:

• To Promote Drone use in Agriculture – Financial Support Being Extended Under ‘Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization’
• The guidelines of “Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization” (SMAM) have been amended.

• The scheme was launched with the objective of increasing the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions & difficult area where farm power availability is low.

• The guideline envisages granting up to 100% of the cost of agriculture drone or Rs. 10 lakhs, whichever is less.

• The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has also brought out Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for use of Drone application with pesticides for crop protection in agricultural, forestry, non-cropped areas, etc. and for Drone Application in Spraying for Soil and Crop Nutrients.

 

Source: PIB