Chittoor District Gundlapalli Farmers Turn Drone Spraying Into Farm-Service Venture
Farmers in Gundlapalli have turned drone-based crop spraying into a service venture, helping over 400 farmers cover 1,500 acres in the past year.
A group of farmers in Gangavaram mandal of Chittoor district has extended services of a drone purchased for their own farming needs to other farmers, providing spraying services to more than 400 farmers growing crops over 1,500 acres during the past year.
Sri Vinayaka Drone Yantra Seva Kendra, set up by farmers from Gundlapalli village in Melmai panchayat, provides drone-based spraying services to farmers in and around the Gangavaram mandal.
The farmers’ group, led by K.G. Tulasiram, underwent training in drone operations in August last year. Then, the group purchased a drone and other equipment contributing about ₹2 lakh of their own, while the government provided ₹7.84 lakh as subsidy.
Farmers say the drone has helped them address the shortage of agricultural labour, while creating demand for drone-based spraying in nearby villages. The group takes the drone to farmers’ fields and undertakes spraying for a fee.
“Earlier, we depended on two or three workers and spent several hours spraying an acre. With the drone, we are able to complete the same work in about five to 10 minutes," said Tulasiram.
N. Ganesh Kumar Reddy of Kancharapalli village said the drone has reduced the quantity solution required for spraying. “Earlier, we needed around 400 to 500 litres of solution for an acre. With the drone, the requirement is much lower," Ganesh Kumar said.
Papaya farmer Manjunath Reddy said regular spraying in his orchard has become less expensive after switching to the drone service. “Earlier, I used a battery sprayer every week. The expenditure came to about ₹60,000 to ₹70,000 an acre. After using the drone, the cost has come down to around ₹20,000 to ₹25,000," he said.
Sri Vinayaka Drone Yantra Seva Kendra group says the drone helps spray chemicals evenly and reduces use of water and labour. They said its faster spraying was also useful before rain. The group said government subsidy and training has helped them extend their spraying services to neighbouring farmers.
