IFFCO training for the use of drones in agriculture

New Delhi

Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), in collaboration with WOW Go Green, organized a 10-day rigorous training on the use of drones in agriculture to make new entrepreneurs from the villages. A total of 36 participants, including progressive farmers, entrepreneurs, FPOs, cooperatives etc. from different states, were part of the training course at FMDI, Gurugram, from November 29 to December 8.

This training was one of its kind in the country. It was for the first time for farmers. The training was conducted with simulators gradually moving to smaller drones and ultimately to full-size agricultural drones. Within a few days of training, all these participants who had never even touched a drone before flew them efficiently.

The participants successfully trained with the use of Krishi Viman or agri-drones were called “Green Pilots”. These green pilots pledged not only to use this technology on their farms but also to raise awareness and share their knowledge with other farmers in their respective regions. The training was mainly for spraying fertilizers, especially Nano Urea. A 15-minute flight of an agri-drone can spray fertilizer in an area of 2.5 acres.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr US Awasthi, Managing Director, IFFCO. He said that the use of drones in agriculture was a step ahead for modern precise farming. It will not only reduce the cost to the farmers but also help in increasing the production and quality of the crops. It will also produce entrepreneurs from villages.

Yogendra Kumar, Marketing Director, IFFCO, the key person behind this entire training programme, said that it would provide a new way forward for the use of new technologies in agriculture.

With the Government planning to bring a policy on the use of agricultural drones, it is of paramount importance that the farmers are trained in the use of this technology so that this technology is accepted as soon as it is officially announced.

This is IFFCO’s step forward towards the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Krishi and Atmanirbhar Bharat by training farmers in modern agricultural technologies and helping them in doubling their incomes.

IFFCO’s training programme was much appreciated and praised by Sachin Kumar, Under Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Fertilisers), while addressing the Green Pilots during his visit to FMDI.

Rakesh Kapur, Joint Managing Director, IFFCO said that the business model prepared by IFFCO and WOW for entrepreneurs was an achievable model and has great potential for success.

IFFCO’s FMDI trains thousands of farmers and farming enthusiasts in various aspects of agriculture. It is one of the best farmer training institutes with residential facilities for hundreds of trainees.