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This Gujarat government scheme supports farmers in adopting advanced drone technology for spraying fertilizers and crop protection Read More... chemicals, making farming more efficient and eco-friendly. Read less

Details

Farming in India is getting a tech upgrade! The Gujarat government, through its Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Cooperation Department, has launched an innovative scheme to bring advanced drone technology to the fields.

What Is This Scheme?

The "Use of Advanced Drone Technology (Agriculture Aircraft) in Agriculture Sector" scheme aims to encourage farmers to use drones for spraying essential agricultural inputs. This includes crop protection chemicals, nano urea, approved liquid fertilizers, and bio-fertilizers. It’s all about making farming smarter, faster, and more sustainable.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is designed for farmers who own agricultural land. If you're a farmer with at least 1 acre of land and possess your own bank account, you can be a beneficiary.

Why This Scheme Is Important

Using drones for spraying offers significant advantages. It drastically cuts down the time and water needed for the task. For instance, a drone can cover 1 hectare in just 20 minutes using only 25 liters of water. This also means chemicals are used more effectively, with up to 90% efficiency, while significantly reducing environmental pollution compared to traditional methods.

Objective

This Gujarat government scheme supports farmers in adopting advanced drone technology for spraying fertilizers and crop protection chemicals, making farming more efficient and eco-friendly.

Benefits

Total Assistance: ₹30,00,000/-.

Prototype Development:Covers costs for raw materials, consumables, hardware, software, professional services, equipment, or tools.
Market Research:Financial aid for conducting market research to ensure product viability.
Testing & Trials:Assistance for product testing and trial phases.
Marketing/Publicity Assistance:Support for attending national/international events (fees/charges only; travel and accommodation expenses excluded).

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

Land Holder: You must be a landholder.
Minimum Land: You need to own at least 1 acre of agricultural land.
Bank Account: A personal bank account is mandatory (you'll need your bank passbook and a cancelled cheque).
Identity Proof: Your Aadhaar card is required as identity proof.
Purchase Bill: You must have a certified bill for the purchase of equipment or items related to drone spraying services.

How To Apply

Applying for this scheme is straightforward and can be done online:

Visit the official i-Khedut Portal: https://ikhedut.gujarat.gov.in/
Fill out the online application form carefully.
Print the filled application form.
Sign the printed application form.
Keep the signed form ready for further verification and processing.

The scheme is implemented through IFFCO, its subsidiary organizations, cooperative organizations, or Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) designated by IFFCO.

Documents Required

Aadhaar Card: This is mandatory for identification.
Land Ownership Documents: Proof of owning at least 1 acre of agricultural land is essential.
Bank Passbook and Cancelled Cheque: Required for disbursing the financial assistance directly to your account.
Certified Purchase Bill: A certified bill for the equipment or items used for spraying services is mandatory.
Signed Online Application Form: The printed and signed application form submitted through the i-Khedut Portal is mandatory.
Other Documents: Any additional documents that may be required during the process.

FAQ’s

What's the main goal of the drone spraying scheme in Gujarat?

The main goal is to boost modern farming by encouraging farmers to use advanced drone technology. This helps in spraying crop protection chemicals, nano urea, and various fertilizers more effectively and sustainably.

Can a farmer get help for more than 5 acres of land under this scheme?

No, the financial assistance is capped at a maximum of five acres for each spraying instance per account. So, if you have more than 5 acres, you can still apply, but the subsidy will be limited to 5 acres per spraying.

How do farmers receive the subsidy money?

The subsidy amount will be credited directly into the farmer's bank account. This is usually done through Electronic Clearance Service (ECS), RTGS, NEFT, or PFMS.

What are the key advantages of using drones for spraying in agriculture?

Using drones saves a lot of time and water. They ensure chemicals are applied with up to 90% efficiency, leading to better results for crops while also cutting down on environmental pollution and addressing labour shortages.

What if I only have 0.5 acres of land? Can I apply?

No, the scheme requires beneficiaries to have a minimum of 1 acre of agricultural land to be eligible.

Do I need to buy a drone myself to get the subsidy?

Not necessarily. Farmers can avail of drone spraying services from organizations like IFFCO, cooperative societies, or Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) that are part of the scheme.

What documents are absolutely essential to submit with my application?

The mandatory documents include your Aadhaar card, land ownership proof (for at least 1 acre), bank passbook and cancelled cheque, and a certified purchase bill for the equipment or services. You also need the signed online application form.

What is the maximum financial help a farmer can get per acre?

Farmers can receive 90% of the spraying cost or up to ₹500 per acre for each spraying session, whichever amount is smaller.

How do I start the application process for the drone spraying scheme?

You need to visit the i-Khedut portal, fill in the online application, print it, sign it, and then keep it for future reference and processing. The official website is https://ikhedut.gujarat.gov.in/.