Drones have proven to be beneficial to the agriculture industry presenting farmers with several ways to optimize their farms to maximize efficiency, carrying out field surveys, seeding over fields, tracking livestock and estimating crop yield. All these are made easier through the use of UAVs while saving agriculture professionals valuable time besides increasing the income of farmers. This was stated by Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister, Prof. Chandra Kumar on the inaugural ceremony of the two-day drone festival at Agricultural University, Palampur today.
The Minister emphasized that the scientists and researchers of the Agricultural University should take adequate steps to make use of the technology and take their research from the labs to the field so that the farmers can be benefited at large. Chandra Kumar said that Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh has laid stress on the adoption of drone technology in the state and Drone Utsav at Palampur would prove effective in this direction. The drone courses will be started in IITs soon to coach the youth desirous to take training in the field. The drones will enable in-time healthcare services in remote areas, provide quick response during emergencies, ensure the easy transportation of time-sensitive goods and materials, serve as efficient carriers for logistics in hilly areas, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Earlier, the Minister also visited the drone exhibition and evinced keen interest in it. Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Ashish Butail said that the use of drone technology would be beneficial for the state. He said that this technique should be started in the mapping and other development work of Palampur Municipal Corporation. He suggested making drones available to farmers and gardeners by forming clusters for spraying pesticides and planting seeds etc. Principal Advisor to Chief Minister Information Technology and Innovation, Gokul Butail suggested maximum use of drone technology to all departments. He said that the Department of Information Technology is doing commendable work in Himachal Pradesh and in the coming time, Himachal will become the first state in the country to use drone technology.
Secretary Digital Technology and Governance, Dr. Abhishek Jain welcomed the chief guest and gave detailed information about the Himachal Drone Conclave. Joint Secretary GoI Nandita Gupta, Director Horticulture Sandeep Kadam, Vice Chancellor, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Agricultural University, Dr. H.K. Chaudhary, ADGP, Abhishek Trivedi, Assistant Secretary FICCI Sumit Gupta, Director IIT Ropar Dr. Rajeev Ahuja, Director Information Technology Mukesh Ripswal, students of various educational institutions, managers of drone companies and senior officers and dignitaries were present.
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