Zeroing in on infested crops with Drones

​Amaravati: Acharya N.G.Ranga Agriculture University is planning to introduce Drones in agriculture and horticulture to detect diseases attacking the crops and enable the farmers to spray pesticides in infected parts. The small Drones will fly at a height of four feet to spray the pesticide over the affected areas within a short time.

In India farmers in Gujarat, Chhattisgarh,Tamil Nadu states are already using drones. With the help of Drones, crop losses caused by the cyclones and adverse seasonal conditions can be assessed,based on the photos or videos sent by the drones. This would be useful in assessment for crop insurance.

Drones will also help in preventing health risks and skin diseases caused by manual spraying pesticides by farmers. A team of Scientists from Acharya N.G.Ranga Agriculture University are going to Tamil Nadu to make a field study and understand the working of the drones in agriculture and horticulture. After that they will take steps how to spray pesticide with the help of small drones in Andhra Pradesh.

Acharya N.G.Ranga Agriculture University executive committee member and innovative farmer Mekala Lakshminarayna said "In Japan and China farmers are already using drones. A team of scientists will go to other states and conduct field study to know how they are using drones in agriculture.

After completion of field study and we will prepare project report to take further steps.” Acharya N.G.Ranga Agriculture University, planning and monitoring director, Dr.Eedara Narayana said, “With the help of drones, we will assess crop damages caused by drought or cyclone or rains within short time. It would be useful for crop insurance purpose.

Joint Director of Agriculture, E.T.Krupadas said " Drones will be useful to assess the crop yields in various places. The workers or farmers who spray pesticides are likely to get health problems. If Drones are used, they will overcome the problems."