In a major boost to agricultural modernisation, the Bihar government offers subsidy to promote the use of drone technology in farming.
Under the ‘Popularisation of Aerial Spray of Pesticide and Liquid Fertiliser by Drone’ initiative, farmers in the state will receive a subsidy of up to Rs 3.65 lakh for purchasing agricultural drones.
Moreover, the state will bear the full cost of drone pilot training for selected beneficiaries.
What is the objective of the scheme?
The scheme aims to encourage farmers to adopt advanced agricultural technologies for more efficient, balanced, and sustainable spraying of pesticides and liquid fertilisers.
By integrating drone technology into farming practices, the government seeks to improve farm productivity, reduce input costs, and enhance crop quality.
Who can apply?
The scheme is open to a wide range of beneficiaries as follows:
- Individual farmers
- Agri-machinery banks
- Agricultural clinic operators
- Self-help groups (SHGs)
- Licensed pesticide dealers
- Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
Applications will be accepted online through the OFMAS (Online Farm Mechanisation Application System) portal.
Subsidy details
- Eligible beneficiaries will receive a subsidy covering 60 per cent of the drone cost or up to Rs 3.65 lakh, whichever is lower.
- The remaining cost will be borne by the applicant.
The scheme will be implemented across 101 sub-divisions of the state. A total budget of Rs 368.65 lakh has been allocated for this initiative.
Government also provide free drone pilot training
To ensure the safe and effective use of drones, the government will also provide free pilot training to selected beneficiaries. The training program that cost Rs 35,000 per participant will be offered to 101 individuals with a total allocation of Rs 35.35 lakh for the training component.
How the scheme beneficial for farmers?
Here is the list of the scheme benefits:
- Empower farmers with modern tools
- Reduce dependency on manual spraying
- Improve efficiency and precision in pesticide and fertilizer use
- Promote sustainable and smart agriculture
- Boost crop yields and quality while reducing production costs
