'Plant doctor': How drones are transforming agriculture in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday directed officials to enhance the versatility of drone usage in agriculture by deploying them for soil testing as well.

During a review meeting with the agriculture department, he issued guidelines on the extensive use of drones by the Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) for this purpose. It will help implement the 'plant doctor' concept successfully, including arriving at the correct estimates of productivity and maintaining other data.

On officials informing that drones are being used in arriving at estimates of paddy productivity, Jagan suggested that they should be used for other crops also. "Now we are using drones for spraying pesticides but they should be used for multi-purposes so that it would be more helpful to the farmers," he said, adding that steps should be taken to equip all 10,000 RBKs with drones.

222 farmers trained in using drones

A total of 222 farmers were trained on the use of drones under the pilot project and the department is procuring the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-certified drones as well as following safety measures during their operation.

Jagan suggested that audio-visual programs should be made on the cultivating methods and telecast through the RBK channel for the benefit of farmers.

Officials explained that, as per the instructions of the Chief Minister, efforts are being made to prepare the draft bill on MSP Act-2023 for ensuring MSP for all agricultural produce and bringing all aqua and dairy farmers under the Act. In the last four years, 4.34 lakh acres have been additionally brought under horticultural cultivation. The Chief Minister suggested that different types of horticultural crops used in food processing should be encouraged.

Cold storage rooms

"There should be more cold-storage rooms, go-downs, and collection centers for encouraging the horticultural farmers," Jagan said, adding that procurement of all other crops should be through RBKs, in addition to the paddy. RBKs should play a key role in marketing as well.

Tomato food processing units

Steps also should be taken to establish onion and tomato food processing units in constituencies where there is more cultivation of such crops. To help women gain self-sufficiency, they should be encouraged to establish secondary food processing units helping them with loans under the YSR Cheyuta scheme, he said.

Officials told him that 6000 micro units are being established to help women with the help of the Cheyuta Scheme.

As the Government is establishing drying and primary processing units and distributing agricultural utensils and machinery for farmers, the officials were asked to link these to the RBKs for ensuring MSP, handholding them at every step, and eliminating the role of middlemen.

About 2.2 lakh samples have been collected by agri labs so far and the farmers are being guided based on the results.