18.07.23 Daily [Telangana] TSPSC Current Affairs

India’s farming sector is getting a hi-tech boost with Telangana taking the lead in deploying drones for agriculture operations. Almost 90% of the country’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) for drone use pertaining to cultivation of paddy and six major crops have been prepared by Hyderabad-based Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU).

Along with Telangana,Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Naduand Punjab have also contributed to the SOPs on cultivation of 11 crops, which theUnionagriculture and cooperation department has adopted for the entire country. While these four states were first of the blocks in the country in using drones in a big way, senior officials said the SOPs mainly focus on parameters like at what height a fertiliser spray should be used, for how long and the way the spray should be used.

PJSTAUscientists have been experimenting with drones in local research institutions since 2020. Farmers in some districts have already begun using drones for spraying fertiliser and are pleased with results.