Revealing Constraints and Perception of Farmers during Demonstration of Innovative Drone Technology at Farmer’s Fields

Abstract

Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy and its growth and development is very crucial to save present and future of Indian agriculture and living population in the country.  The Indian agricultural sector contributes about 18% to India’s Gross Domestic Product and approximately 58% population lives on it as prime source of livelihood. The numerous innovative practices, technology, methods and improved varieties are being adopted by farming community since green evolution in India for sustainable a growth and development of agriculture for feeding the mounting population regularly. But due attach of different disease and insect pests a huge part of produce get lost by pests and weeds infestation beyond practicing many chemical uses efforts. Now an innovative technology has emerged for pesticides/ herbicides spraying through drones. Agri-drones can carry out this task much quicker and aerial spraying is five times faster with drones when compared to other methods. Fixed wing drones are more suitable for farmers because these drones can fly around large areas to map survey and monitor crops. Keeping importance of drone technology in mind the government of India was decided to demonstrate this technology among farming community at grass root level. Under the initiative as Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra which was started in Harda district since 16 December 2023 to 26 January 2024, where demonstration on drone for spaying of pesticides and weedicides was conducted in 84 gram panchayats covering to both (Timarani & Harda) legislative constituency of the Harda district. Where the  perception and reactions of 252 farmers were noted as they were very keen to know the importance and working style of drone to solve their labour problem, saving water quantity, time, early coverage of crop area, subsidy on drone purchasing, durability of drone, maintenance and after sale services. But few queries were also perceived during the programmes like it may create air pollution when chemical spay will take place at height or over crops, at flowering stage it may boost flower drop in crops like Chickpea, pea etc., laying of crops due to high air velocity of drone, ill effect weedicide like 2-4D on neighboring crops Chickpea, battery backup in remote area rural area/ if current supply is not regular. Handling and transportation field to field also perceived tough by farmers. Farmers also reacted as it is more suitable for horticultural crops, orchards, forest areas, pasture lands, forests and vegetable crops rather cereal crops like wheat, soybean, mungbean and chickpea. Moreover this technology was seen as need of the hour and suitable to transform the agriculture. Agricultural drone technology is may the future of the Indian agrarian community if it is cost effective, and above discussed certain points may be considered with needful solutions/modifications. The farmers will also need comprehensive training and regular supervision and guidance of experts to exploit its full efficiency and reliability of the technology.