Gurugram
Leading agri-drone manufacturer IoTechWorld Avigation announced on Jan 18 that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri, Maharashtra, to promote the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to boost farm productivity in the country.
The MoU was signed by Dr PN Rasal, Dean (F/A) and Director of Instructions, on behalf of the university, while Anoop Kumar Upadhyay, Co-Founder and Director, signed on the behalf of IoTechWorld Avigation.
Through this partnership, IoTechWorld Avigation and MPKV aim to work collectively in science and technology and promote the use of drones in agriculture.
Upadhyay said his company and the university would also work on joint educational and research and development (R&D) projects to build a modern and sustainable smart agricultural system.
The two sides will also develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for crop spraying using drones.
IoTechWorld will be the technical partner in the setting up of Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) for Kisan (agricultural) Drones with MPKV, which in turn will help reduce drone pilot shortage in the country, Upadhyay added.
As per Government estimates, India will require at least 1 lakh drone pilots by next year.
Commenting on the MoU with the agricultural university, Anoop Kumar Upadhyay and Deepak Bhardwaj, directors of IoTechWorld, said, "The tie-up with an institution like MPKV will help us promote research activities for (the) promotion of drones in agriculture. Together we are going to work for the promotion of drone technology for the betterment of Indian agriculture."
Bhardwaj said the use of drones in agriculture was going to change the lives of farmers as these aerial robots could significantly boost farm output.
"(The) use of drones in agriculture is very helpful for farmers as these aerial robots help them save money and time. Another objective of the MoU with MPKV Agricultural University is to develop a smart agricultural system. IoTechWorld and the university will work on joint educational and R&D projects for the betterment of the agriculture sector," he added.
Drones, he said, increase efficiency, reduce field operational delays, optimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and thus help in increasing the income of farmers. One of the major advantages is that a farmer can save a lot by using drones for the application of fertilizers and spraying pesticides.
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued guidelines to make drone technology affordable to the stakeholders of the sector.
The government has also brought out SOPs for the use of drone application with pesticides for crop protection in agricultural, forestry and non-cropped areas, and for drone application in spraying for soil and crop nutrients.