ICAR-IISWC, Research Centre, Ballari conducted three days Agricultural-Drone technology Demonstration programme at its Research Farm and in surrounding villages during 16th-18th November, 2023
The ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Research Centre, Ballari conducted three days Agricultural-Drone technology Demonstration programme at its Research Farm and in surrounding villages from 16-18 November 2023. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. B S Naik, In-Charge Head and Principal Scientist (Soil and water conservation) and addressed the farmers about importance modern technologies in the agriculture.
Dr. M. N. Ramesha, Senior Scientist (Forestry) coordinated the programme and brief the programme details to the farmers. Shri. Vinod Kumar, Assistant Director, National Seed Corporation, Ballari participated in the programme as special guest and explained importance of the programme to the farmers. Mr. Gourav Bhati, Technician (T1) & Ic. Farm Superintendent, Mr. Vrushabendrappa, Technician (T1), Mr. Abhishek Kumar, Technician (T1) coordinated the event and disseminated the information to the farmers about the drone demonstration.
In this three days campaign, about ninety farmers from Lakshmi Nagar Camp, Koluru, Kolagallu and Somasamudra villages were participated. Demonstration was conducted over twelve land parcels and about 42 acres of chilli crop was sprayed with plant protection and growth promoting chemicals. About 6 acres of rabi sorghum and one acre of redgram crop were also sprayed with plant protection chemicals. The drone requires 10 minutes to spray an acre of area and uses 12 litres of solution only. Thus it greatly saves labour and time required for applying chemicals to the crops. Drone spray applies concentrated chemical in precision to the crops. Participated farmers were demanding to cover more area and are highly motivated to hire the drone for spraying large areas of chilli crop in the villages. Many participated farmers enquired about price of the drone and few of them expressed their willingness own a drone in the coming crop season. This programme was conducted under National Agri-Drone Project, funded by ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Ludhiana.
