The Andhra Pradesh government is taking a groundbreaking step to modernize its agricultural sector with the deployment of ‘Kisan Drones’ aimed at boosting productivity and efficiency across the state. Inspired by the success of the recent Amaravati Drone Summit, the initiative marks one of the first large-scale state efforts to integrate drones in farming operations. The first phase of the project will see the establishment of 875 drone service centers, with a 40% government subsidy, utilizing drones valued at ₹88 crore. These centers will support farmers by offering services primarily for spraying fertilizers and pesticides, drastically reducing manual labor and improving precision in crop care.
Amaravati Drone Summit Highlights: Driving Agrotech Innovation in Andhra Pradesh
- Pioneering Agrotech Initiatives: The Amaravati Drone Summit showcased advancements in drone technology, focusing on applications tailored for agriculture, marking Andhra Pradesh as a leader in agrotech innovation.
- ‘Kisan Drones’ for Precision Agriculture: The summit highlighted the government’s plan to deploy “Kisan drones” across the state, aimed at streamlining tasks like pesticide and fertilizer spraying, ensuring uniform application, reducing waste, and optimizing resource use.
- Introduction of Drone Service Centers: Andhra Pradesh announced the establishment of 875 drone service centers in the first phase, subsidized at 40%, to support widespread drone adoption among farmers. These centers are valued at ₹88 crore and will be instrumental in making drone services accessible.
- Boosting Farmer Education: Recognizing the importance of training, the government, in collaboration with Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University and Drogo Drones Pvt. Limited, committed to offering drone operation and maintenance training. This initiative is tailored for rural youth and registered farmers to enable skilled, tech-savvy workforce development in agriculture.
- Investment in Agrotech: The state allocated ₹35 crore in incentives to accelerate drone adoption, demonstrating a strong commitment to agrotech, aimed at building climate-resilient, efficient farming practices that could serve as a model for other regions.
- Connecting Agrotech with Employment: Training initiatives and service centers are expected to create jobs for local youth, fostering a tech-oriented agricultural sector and enabling the next generation to lead in agrotech.
- Statewide Impact and Future Goals: The summit underscored Andhra Pradesh’s vision to cover all villages with drone technology over the next three years, setting an ambitious goal to drive agricultural modernization across the state and make precision farming accessible to even small-scale farmers.
Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu, presenting the agriculture budget in the Legislative Assembly, highlighted that the initiative seeks to cover every village in Andhra Pradesh within three years. “Kisan drones will revolutionize our approach to agriculture, ensuring every farmer has access to cutting-edge technology,” he said. The government has allocated an additional ₹35 crore for incentives to promote the adoption of drones in farming.
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To support this ambitious program, the state plans to provide certified training courses on drone operation and maintenance. In partnership with Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University and Drogo Drones Pvt. Limited—institutions recognized by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation—the government will offer training to registered farmers and rural youth, fostering local employment and expertise. These skill-building courses aim to make Andhra Pradesh’s agricultural workforce a model of tech-enabled farming practices in India.
The ‘Kisan drone’ initiative represents a transformative push to leverage technology in rural areas, enhancing crop yields and reducing costs for farmers, with the ultimate goal of improving livelihoods across the state.