Feb 11: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar today said funds amounting to Rs. 126.99 crores have been released towards Kisan Drone promotion based on the proposals received so far. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Tomar said this includes Rs. 52.50 crores released to the ICAR for the purchase of 300 Kisan Drones and organizing their demonstrations on the farmers’ fields in 75000 hectares through 100 KVKs, 75 ICAR institutions and 25 SAUs. It also includes funds released to various State Governments for the supply of more than 300 Kisan Drones to farmers on subsidy and the establishment of more than 1500 Kisan Drone CHCs to provide drone services to the farmers. The use of Kisan Drones has the potential to provide ample opportunities for employment to people in rural areas.
Shri Tomar informed that the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is promoting the adoption of Kisan Drones by the farmers. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which provide concise instructions for effective and safe operations of drones for pesticide and nutrient application have been released. Financial assistance is also provided under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) as per the details given as under:
(i) Financial assistance @ 100% of the cost of the drone up to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakhs per drone is provided for the purchase of drones by institutes under Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), State and other Central Government Agricultural Institutions/Departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of Government of India engaged in agricultural activities. The Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) are provided grants up to 75% of the cost of agriculture drones for their demonstrations on the farmers’ fields. A contingency expenditure of Rs.6000 per hectare is provided to implementing agencies that do not want to purchase drones but will hire drones for demonstrations from Custom Hiring Centres, Hi-tech Hubs, Drone Manufacturers and Start-Ups. The contingent expenditure to implementing agencies that purchase drones for drone demonstrations is limited to Rs.3000 per hectare.
(ii) In order to make available drone services to farmers on rental basis, financial assistance @ 40% up to a maximum of Rs. 4.00 lakhs are provided for the purchase of drones by Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) under the Cooperative Society of Farmers, FPOs and Rural entrepreneurs. Agriculture graduates establishing CHCs are eligible to receive financial assistance @ 50% of the cost of the drone up to a maximum of Rs.5.00 lakhs per drone.
(iii) For individual purchase of drones, the Small and Marginal, Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe, Women and North Eastern State farmers are provided financial assistance @ 50% of the cost up to a maximum of Rs. 5.00 lakhs and other farmers @ 40% up to a maximum of Rs. 4.00 lakhs.
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