Leading agri-drone manufacturer IoTechWorld Avigation Friday announced signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbani, Maharashtra to promote the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to boost farm productivity in the country.
The agreement by the Gurugram-based company with a leading academic institution will go a long way in creating awareness among farmers about the use of technology for increasing farm output, besides furthering research in drone technology. Last month the agri drone manufacturing company had announced a similar tie-up with Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (an Agriculture University), Rahuri, Maharashtra.
The latest MoU was signed by Dr Indra Mani, Vice Chancellor of VNMKV on behalf of the University, while Mr Anoop Kumar Upadhyay, Co-Founder & Director signed on the behalf of IoTechWorld Avigation. Mr. Upadhyay said IoTechWorld Avigation is on the forefront of promoting drone technology and partnerships with universities are aimed at furthering research activities.
Giving details about the MoU with VNMKV, he said both the parties will work in cooperation in science and technology and promote the use of drones in agriculture. "Both the signatories to the agreement will work together to develop an agricultural training centre and Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) at VNMKV university," he added.
Mr.Deepak Bhardwaj, Co-founder IoTechWorld said tie-ups with universities will help the company to further research in drone technology, besides creating awareness among farmer groups. "The use of agri-drone is catching up among farmers and several farmers' organizations too have joined the campaign. These unmanned aerial robots are of great use as they not only help in saving cost, but time also," he said.
Another major objective of the tie up is to farmer friendly training modules and create drone pilots at the proposed RPTO at the university. IoTechWorld will be the technical partner in setting up of Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) for Agricultural Drones with VNMKV, which in turn will help reduce drone pilot shortage in the country, he added.
As per Government estimates India will require at least 1 lakh drone pilots by next year. It is to be noted here that IoTechWorld has its own RPTO where farmers are trained to fly drones. The company also helps farmers in obtaining drone pilot licenses. Both parties will work together to develop an agricultural training centre, Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) for at VNMKV university.
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 use of Drone application for the sprinkling of crop nutrients and crop protection pesticides in agricultural, forestry, and non-cropped areas.