CIHS – Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies

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Drone Didis to Revolutionize Bharat’s Farm Sector

Bharat has moved with purpose in spread of drones to revolutionize her huge farm sector that’s key to self-sufficiency model, feed 1.4 billion people and provide agriculture products and services globally. Having adopted drones consciously over last one decade, these flying objects mark significant advancement in agricultural output and modernizing farming processes. This creative plan is a big step towards using modern technology to solve long-standing issues in the agriculture sector that’s integral to Bharat’s way of life. Conventional agricultural spraying techniques that rely on physical labour or heavy gear lifting are time-consuming and less accurate in providing farm nutrients, soil supplements and water apart from spray of pesticides etc. Indian government has adopted use of drones in agriculture and related services to transform crop management and protection in light of constraints associated with physical handling of farm nutrients and pesticides. Modern spraying technology is being used on drones to cover huge tracts of fields with previously unheard-of precision and speed. These unmanned aerial vehicles are gradually taking the place of the labour-intensive and ineffective hand spraying method. Capacity of drone sprayers to reach difficult-to-get locations such as steep terrain or heavily forested areas, which are difficult for traditional machinery or labour is one of its main advantages. These drones provide optimal resource utilization and minimize waste by accurately targeting crops with necessary nutrients, herbicides or insecticides. This promotes sustainable farming practices. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) outfitted with cutting-edge sensors and GPS technology can apply pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers with unmatched precision and speed as well. Farmers can target particular portions of their fields with drone sprayers, minimizing resource waste and lessening environmental effect. Furthermore, farmers may concentrate on other key facets of agriculture because of the effectiveness of drone operations, which saves them a significant amount of labour and time. The drone sprayer plan has been widely praised for its potential to take Bharat’s agriculture to next level. Farmers that use this technique can increase crop yields, maximise resource usage and help improve their standard of living. Drone usage also supports India’s commitment to sustainable agriculture which lessens negative consequences of conventional farming methods while boosting eco-friendly solutions. Use of drone sprayers is expected to help millions of Indian farmers with a number of urgent problems. The advantages are numerous, ranging from lowering danger of chemical exposure for workers to minimizing environmental contamination brought on by overuse of pesticides. Furthermore, farmers benefit greatly from the increased efficiency that drones provide in terms of cost savings which eventually strengthens their financial security. Nonetheless, there are certain drawbacks to drone technology’s broad use in agriculture. Concerns including licensing processes, legal frameworks and cost must be addressed to guarantee easy integration and accessibility for farmers from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Policymakers, technology companies and other agricultural stakeholders must work together to tackle these challenges. The broad use of drone sprayers can be facilitated by cooperative projects that provide financial support, training and awareness-raising which could spark a paradigm shift in Indian agriculture. Most stakeholders in the farm sector will have to work in unison to adopt drones like other technologies. With the drone sprayer plan, Bharat is demonstrating its commitment to using innovations for sustainable development as it sets off on this revolutionary journey. In several other sectors as well, drones are being increasingly deployed to deliver pharmaceutical products and tackle life threatening emergency situations. India is positioned to usher in a new era of agricultural prosperity by embracing technology-driven solutions, empowering farmers, and promoting economic growth while protecting the environment for future generations. Drones for farm development Thanks to development of drone technology, India’s agriculture sector has undergone a spectacular revolution in recent years. These unmanned aerial vehicles are strong instruments that are changing how farmers manage their crops and nurture their land; they are not just futuristic gadgets. Drones have made a major contribution to Indian agriculture in the form of crop monitoring and management. Drones with cutting-edge cameras and sensors fly over huge stretches of farmland, taking high-resolution pictures that provide vital information on crop health, insect infestations, and soil conditions. With the use of this real-time data, farmers are better equipped to optimize their techniques for fertilization, irrigation, and pest management, which ultimately increases yields and minimises resource waste. Drone technology is also revolutionising farming techniques nationwide with precision agriculture. Drones optimise production by precisely directing inputs such as insecticides, fertilisers, and water, hence reducing waste and negative environmental effects. This accuracy is crucial for maintaining sustainable farming techniques for future generations in a nation where agricultural resources are becoming scarce. Drones are also excellent at large-scale mapping and surveying, giving farmers access to precise land-use surveys and maps. Better land management, crop selection and resource allocation are made possible by this capacity, which is especially important in India’s several agro-climatic zones where soil conditions vary greatly. Drones have advantages over traditional farming methods. Drones prove to be invaluable in hard-to-reach areas where conventional machinery is unable to operate. These flying marvels bridge the gap between farmers and their fields with their unprecedented efficiency and accessibility, whether they are monitoring crops or delivering necessary supplies. Drones are also essential for disaster management since they can quickly assess crop damage following natural disasters like floods or droughts. Drones minimize losses and aid recovery process by facilitating rapid response measures through the provision of precise and timely information. Overall, drone technology has the potential to revolutionize agriculture in Bharat by providing innovative solutions to challenges faced by farmers and enhancing efficiency and sustainability of agricultural practices.  However, coordinated efforts are required to guarantee affordability, accessibility and appropriate legal frameworks in order to fully reap its benefits. Drone technology has the potential to take Indian agriculture to new heights of wealth and sustainability if given the proper backing and funding. Drone Didis to helm farm reforms Under the ‘Namo Drone Didis’ scheme announced by Bharat’s government on November 30,  women in 15,000 self-help groups would be trained and

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Bhutan, Bharat, bhai bhai !

China’s intrusive prevarication may not turn New Delhi – Thimphu relations sour. Trying dirty tricks as in Nepal may not work to Beijing’s advantage Rohan Giri  / New Delhi As of now China has emerged as minor distraction in India and Bhutanese relations that span over millennia, civilizational ties with strong bonds of friendship and close people-to-people contacts. When Bhutan’s king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk was in capital earlier last week on three days sojourn, there was enough noise made that growing proximity between Thimphu and Beijing may derail former’s relations with New Delhi. Unflinching commitment to take this friendship to next level may have not gone down well with several Beijing protagonists within and outside India. This should not matter much. Much of arguments that relations between the two countries were not honky dory had been attributed to remarks made by Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering on India – China – Bhutan border tri-junction, Doklam.  The 73-days standoff between India & Bhutanese troops against Chinese counterparts during June – August 2017 is still fresh in mind. Twist given to Prime Minister Tshering’s comments was interpreted as Bhutan going the Chinese way which was untrue. In this backdrop, India and Bhutan scrupulously moving ahead with their commitment to neighbour-hood first policy assumes significance. Their shared vision for future cooperation including beneficial partnerships, significant reforms will have to be carried forward with vigour. Bhutan king’s meeting with Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi had in fact cleared the air and set the ball rolling for Bhutan in expanded bilateral trade cooperation, technology, cross-border connectivity, mutual investments etc. In the 13th five-year plan, both leaders envisioned successive Druk Gyalpos to guide India-Bhutan relations to new heights. Long-term sustainable bilateral ties in agricultural and critical commodities, setting up integrated checking post on the busiest trading way between both countries were also streamlined. Historical project of cross border rail link between Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan along with expansion of energy cooperation beyond hydroelectric project would further round the relations between two inseparable neighbours. Indian foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said, “India will work to extend an additional standby credit facility. We will work to shape long-term sustainable arrangements for export of agricultural commodities from Bhutan. Also, work to develop long-term bilateral arrangements for assured supply of critical commodities like petroleum and coal.” If joint briefings were anything to go by, Bhutan seems keen to collaborate in financial technology sector, start-ups and emerging technologies. In effect, clear message seems to be on using United Payments Interface and ride piggyback as Indian rupee’s acceptance for making transactional settlements. India and Bhutan are friends in need and in deed. Vaccine Maitri drive launched by India had pulled half a dozen neighbourhood countries out of the humongous Covid – 19 induced pandemic mess. In fact, Bhutan was the very first beneficiary of the Covid-19 vaccine consignment from India. On the other hand, China was on expansionist spree beginning 2017 when it tried to build a road in 2017 through Chumbi Valley of Bhutan. When Narendra Modi was elected Prime Minister of India in 2014, Bhutan was the first country he visited treating the latter as a ‘reliable friend’ that could be trusted as an ally. There’s no denying that prior to this visit, there were some hiccups when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh withdrew cooking gas and kerosene subsidies. But, these were restored in 2014 after India saw a tectonic shift in its own power structure. Besides the bilateral and diplomatic relations, vibrant cultural linkages defined friendship between the two countries made it unique. (Rohan is a journalism graduate from Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) New Delhi, and Manager Operations at CIHS.)

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