Drone Revolution in Andhra Pradesh: State Slashes Upfront Cost to Empower Farmers!
The Andhra Pradesh government has updated the standard operating procedure (SOP) to make agri-drone ownership more accessible to farmers in an effort to expedite drone-powered farming. Adoption of drones is now more feasible for smallholder farmers thanks to the revised policy, which drastically lowers the upfront payment needed for a Kisan Drone from almost ₹5 lakh to just ₹2 lakh.
In the past, farmers were supposed to pay half of the total cost (₹4.90 lakh) up front, with bank loans covering the remaining ₹7.80 lakh, or ₹9.80 lakh, for the drone. According to the revised plan, farmer groups can now only raise ₹2 lakh in total to place an order; the remaining sum will be paid for by a bank loan from the Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
According to the state agriculture director’s most recent directive, in order to purchase a single drone, a minimum of five farmers must band together. After the drone is purchased, the government will reimburse up to 80% of the total cost, or ₹7.80 lakh. With a 60:40 cost-sharing arrangement between the Central and Andhra Pradesh governments, this incentive is a component of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
The state is also deploying 875 drones in different districts to aid in this transition. Approximately 550 drones are currently in operation, and the remaining drones should be up and running by the end of July.
As farmers prepare for the Kharif season, the timing couldn’t be better. These days, drones can help with precision seeding, which involves evenly dispersing seeds throughout fields for important crops like cotton, millets, paddy, maize, and chilli. In addition to planting, Kisan Drones can more effectively and manually apply pesticides and fertilizers.
According to a representative of the agriculture department, farmers have embraced the initiative: “There is growing interest in adopting drone technology thanks to the financial support. We anticipate more farmers will take advantage of this revised policy to modernize their practices.”
Andhra Pradesh is establishing itself as a frontrunner in the drive for digital, drone-led farming with this significant policy change, which will improve yields, optimize resource use, and boost agricultural automation.
CEO, Mavdrones
Pradipta V Mukherjee is the visionary CEO of Mavdrones & Drone Pathshala, driving innovation and growth in the drone industry. With a passion for advanced technology, he leads the company's strategic direction, ensuring Mavdrones stays at the forefront of drone solutions. Under his leadership, Mavdrones has achieved remarkable success, including winning the 'Best Innovation and Technology in Drone Industry' award from ASSOCHAM. Pradipta is committed to revolutionizing the industry through advanced UAV technology, fostering a culture of excellence and forward-thinking within the organization.
