Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced an initiative to provide drones to 875 farmer groups and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) with an 80% subsidy for the 2024-25 financial year. A budget of Rs.70 crore has been allocated for this scheme, with at least one farmer group per agricultural division selected to benefit from the program.

To implement this initiative, the Department of Agriculture has invited DGCA-approved drone companies to participate in the project through an empanelment process. A State-Level Technical Committee has been formed to oversee the process, comprising scientists from agricultural universities, experts in farm mechanization, technical specialists from drone corporations, and representatives from the Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute (FMTTI).

The committee has developed a protocol to ensure that the drones meet the specific needs of Andhra Pradesh’s agricultural sector. A 10-acre testing site has been set up at Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, where drones submitted for empanelment undergo a 60-day testing process in compliance with DGCA regulations and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) established by the university.

The drones are evaluated based on speed, altitude precision, and suitability for agricultural applications. Only those that meet the criteria are approved, while others are advised to refine their technology before reapplying for empanelment.

The empaneled companies will be responsible for delivering drones under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) scheme, and the Agriculture Department is actively working on the final implementation strategy. This initiative is expected to boost agricultural productivity, enhance precision farming techniques, and provide cost-effective solutions for farmers across Andhra Pradesh.