UPSC Articles
Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization” (SMAM)
Part of: Prelims and Mains GS-III: Agriculture
In News: In a major boost to promote precision farming in India, guidelines of “Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization” (SMAM) have been amended which envisages granting upto 100% of the cost of agriculture drone or Rs. 10 lakhs, whichever is less, as grant for purchase of drones.
Some of the information that drones can help us with:
- Plant counting: plant size, plot statistics, stand number, compromised plots, planter skips),
- Plant height: crop height and density
- Vegetation indices: leaf area, anomaly detection, treatment efficacy, infestations, phenology
- Water needs: damage/drown out
Drones ensure a permanent monitoring of the crop in the field from planting to harvest.
Advantages of using drone in farming –
- Optimize inputs: Seeds, fertilizers, water
- React faster to threats: Weeds, pests, fungi
- Save time crop scouting: Treatments & actions
- Improve Variable Rates Application: Real time mapping
- Estimate yield: Precisely calculate field characteristics
News Source: PIB
