Andhra Pradesh to Use Drone Technology for Farming

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy said that Rythu Bharosa will be distributed on May 16 and crop insurance will be distributed by June 15 to farmers to help them start farming activities in the Kharif season. For the first time in AP, the state government established Drone Community Hiring Centers to assist farmers in using drones for agricultural purposes.

The CM conducted a thorough examination of the agriculture sector and congratulated officials on the RBKs' nomination for the FAO Champion Award. The officials briefed the chief minister on the central government's guidelines for the operation and use of Kisan drones.

The CM stated that under each RBK, drone community hiring centres should be established with educated farmers. They should be given training as well as certificates. Farmers should be made aware of the proper use of fertilizers and pesticides by air-dropping videos from drones.

"Drones will play a critical role in the use of nano-pesticides and nano-fertilizers in the future," he said, adding that this would help curb chemical overuse.

The chief minister directed officials to focus on e-cropping at the village level by conducting regular social audits and ensuring that all welfare schemes are provided to the farmer community. Officials must constantly monitor CMAPP's performance and ensure that kiosks in RBKs are operational.

The CM emphasized the importance of raising CCRC awareness by providing complete information on tenant farmer rights. If necessary, officials must visit each home. He also directed officials to concentrate on natural farming and to promote it through RBKS by establishing community hiring centres.

Officials should work to establish a six-month internship programme at the RBKs for university students, as their observations and suggestions would help to improve the RBK services. "A pilot project in Srikakulam to install power metres for agricultural connections was a success. This saved about 30% of electricity and would save 33.75 million units as the number of connections grows."

Farmers are getting quality electricity, according to the chief minister, who said a transparent system was in place with the installation of metres. The staff's accountability has also increased. According to Jagan, metres for agricultural connections will be installed across the state soon after farmers are educated.

The chief minister instructed officials to prioritize small and marginal farmers when providing subsidized farm equipment. "Prepare a plan for this," he said, adding that farm equipment should be subsidized under each RBK.

He believes that officials should promote millet cultivation and concentrate on MSP and processing. They must devise a strategy in this regard. "An end-to-end solution should be available, and millet products should gain value." It is necessary to increase their consumption. Prepare a plan for alternative cropping methods in water-scarce areas, as well," the CM advised.