Government to provide drones to farmers with 40 percent subsidy

The government will provide drones to farmers with a 40 per cent subsidy and training support to address labour shortages, improve efficiency, and reduce costs, with priority given to farmer groups and cooperative societies

Karimnagar: In response to the increasing use of drones in agriculture, the government has decided to supply drones and related equipment to farmers on subsidy, while also providing training in their operation.

Officials said a subsidy of 40 per cent will be extended, subject to a maximum of Rs 4 lakh per unit.

The move comes amid an acute shortage of agricultural labour, prompting farmers to adopt drones for spraying fertilisers and pesticides. The technology is not only time-efficient but also relatively cost-effective compared to manual labour.

However, the high cost of drones has limited individual ownership. As a result, many farmers currently rely on hiring drones from cooperative societies, self-help groups and private operators.

The hiring charge is around Rs 400 per hour, during which drones can cover approximately four to five acres of farmland.

The cost of each drone ranges between Rs 9.5 lakh and Rs 11.5 lakh, depending on the manufacturer and specifications, making subsidy support critical for wider adoption.

Apart from financial assistance, the government will also provide training to farmers to ensure safe and efficient use of drone technology.

Priority in allocation will be given to farmer producer organisations (FPOs), primary agricultural cooperative societies and self-help groups.

Agriculture department officials said the use of drones would help farmers cover larger areas in less time, while also reducing input usage, as smaller quantities of fertilisers and pesticides are sufficient for aerial spraying.