Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced that the state government has set aside Rs 35 crore for agri-drone projects, with the goal of covering 1.4 lakh acres of farmland.
Drones, according to CM Patel, can help with labour shortages by providing solutions for pesticide and fertiliser spraying.
“Applying fertilisers is a labour-intensive process. Additionally, farmers have to spray pesticides to protect their crops (from pests). Generally, labourers apply fertilisers and spray pesticides. Drone technology will offer solutions for all such tasks. Additionally, we will find in drone technology the solution to an issue like shortage of labour,”.
The funds will be used to assist farmers in purchasing drones if necessary.
The chief minister was speaking at a public meeting to lay down the foundation of a Center of Excellence for Horticulture in the Dhrol Taluka of Jamnagar.
CM Patel said,“Our objective is to see to it that farmers adopt modern farming practices so that agriculture becomes increasingly profitable and farmers’ income goes up,”.