The government on Monday said it is promoting the use of 'Kisan drones' and conditions are favourable to take such technology to the farmers. Addressing a conference, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said modernisation of the agricultural sector is on the agenda of the government.Kisan drones are being promoted for crop assessment, digitisation of land records, spraying of pesticides and nutrients for which a budget provision has also been made, he noted. For promoting use of Kisan drones, the government is providing 50 per cent or maximum Rs 5 lakh subsidy to SC/STs, small and marginal farmers, women and farmers of northeastern states for buying drones. For other farmers, financial assistance will be given up to 40 per cent or maximum Rs 4 lakh, an official statement quoted the minister as saying at the event. In order to provide agricultural services through drone application, financial assistance at 40 per cent of the basic cost of drone and its attachments or Rs 4 lakh, whichever is less, is also provided for drone purchase by existing and new Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) under Cooperative Society of Farmers, Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs) and rural entrepreneurs.The agriculture graduates establishing CHCs are eligible to receive financial assistance at 50 per cent of the cost of drone, up to a maximum Rs 5 lakh.In addition to the already identified entities for drone demonstration, other agricultural institutions of the state and central government and central public sector undertakings engaged in agricultural activities have also been brought in the eligibility list for financial assistance for farmers' drone demonstration. Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary said this new technology is aimed to reach more and more farmers, which will reduce the cost of production and increase their income.Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja said the conditions are favourable to take drones to the farmers and the government is also committed in this regard. Kisan Drones will be used to boost the agricultural sector in the country, the use of Kisan Drones will be promoted for crop assessment, digitization of land records and spraying of insecticides and nutrients.

This step was taken as the government aims to promote chemical-free national farming.

"Chemical-free Natural farming to be promoted throughout the country, with focus on farmers' lands in 5-kilometre-wide corridors along the river Ganga in the first stage," Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said in her Budget 2022 speech.

Kisan Drone will usher in a new edge revolution as high capacity drones will be used to carry vegetables, fruits, fishes to the market directly from the farms. "These items will be supplied directly to the market with minimal damage, consuming lesser time, resulting in more profits to farmers and fishermen," the prime minister said.

The Prime Minister said that the development of the drone market in India will generate fresh employment and new opportunities for the youth.

"I have been told that Garuda Aerospace has set a target of manufacturing 1 lakh Made-in-India drones in the next 2 years. This will generate fresh employment and new opportunities for the youth," he said.