Good News! Centre allows ICRISAT to use Drones for Agricultural Research

The Central Government has been focusing to improve agriculture sector and for this it is continuously taking steps to improve research, pests control and crop yield. The government has also given unconditional exemption for deployment of drones to the International Semi-Arid Tropical Crop Research Institute (ICRIST) Hyderabad, Telangana for activities in the agricultural research by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). But with certain conditions, this rebate will be given only for 6 months.

The unmanned aircraft are actually called Drones, and are equipped with many features including sending and receiving data and high quality camera for video recording.

Inexpensive Drones by the Government

Drones are very important for India’s agricultural sector, said Amber Dubey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation. Due to this, government is encouraging young entrepreneurs and researchers to deliver low-priced drones in more than 6.6 lakh villages of the country. But, this discount on drone will be available for 6 months only from the date of the letter issued in this regard.

And some terms and conditions also need to be followed. If someone violates those conditions after taking the drone, the wavier will be terminated.

ICRISAT will also have to Abide These Conditions

1. ICRISAT will have to get air safety clearance from local administration, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Indian Air Force to obtain prior permission to operate remotely piloted air craft systems from Airports Authority of India (AAI).

2. Only photographs, video-graphs obtained through RPAS will be used by ICRISAT. The institute will be responsible for the security of RPAS and the security of data collected by RPAS.

3. The operation of RPAS will be limited to day time from sunrise to sunset under the visual Line of Sight (VLOS).

4. The institute will ensure that RPAS is functioning well and will be responsible for any situation arising due to equipment malfunction.

5. In case of injury to any person due to physical contact with the equipment, the institute itself will be responsible for medico-legal issues.

6. The institute will ensure security, safety and privacy of the public, property, operations, etc. In case of any incident, DGCA will not be held responsible.

7. The institute will ensure that only trained and experienced bonafide personnel are employed by RPAS.

8. This letter will not violate other restrictions imposed by other government agencies regarding remote piloted aircraft systems.

Drones are mostly used in military sector, but now days, looking at the use and importance of it, it is used in construction, agriculture, oil gas refinery, journalism, etc. sectors too.

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