Visakapatnam: Vizianagaram District will launch a drone-based agricultural program to support small and marginal farmers as part of Swarna Andhra Vision 2047. The program aims to modernize agricultural practices through technology-driven solutions, reduce farming costs, reduce farming costs, and address the growing labor shortage.
During the first phase of implementation, 34 farmer groups will receive agricultural drones, including 24 in Vizianagaram and 10 in the adjacent Parvathipuram Manyam. To ensure a smooth launch, 22 people have completed specialized training at the centres of Guntur and Vijayawada, with the state government’s training costs of Rs 70,000 per person.
“The cost of traditional pesticide spraying is about Rs 2,000 per acre. The use of drones has dropped significantly and can cover up to 10 acres per day,” said Mada Harvey, a farming official in Mandal.
She highlighted the eligibility criteria and noted that a group member must receive an intermediate education. The initiative will also prioritize female farmers groups to promote gender equality in agricultural technology.
Madhavi explained that participants will obtain an official Civil Aviation Administration (DGCA) license after the training is completed, allowing them to operate drones legally. She added: “Previously, Agro Guntur University offered a 12-day training program. Now, private companies offer 10-day courses that include five-day theoretical and five practical residential training.”
According to the official, the plan utilizes two types of drones: smaller models for pesticide spraying and medium-sized dust and fertilization.
Regional agriculture official VT Rama Rao emphasized the sustainability of the model, noting that 24 drones have been approved in Vizianagaram. “The program balances farmers’ investment, institutional credit and state subsidies,” he said. The region is deploying awareness teams to assist farmers in their implementation.
The initiative is particularly important for Vizianagaram, where nearly 75% of farmers in Vizianagaram businesses are small, marginal land owners.
Rama Rao explained the financial structure of the scheme, noting: “Firstly, the group deposited a bank account of Rs 5 lakh in it. We approved a loan of Rs 5 lakh to pay the cost of drone of Rs 1 lakh. After verification, 80% subsidy (80% subsidy), the loan of Rs 8 lakh was paid to their initial investment. Explained.
The initiative marks a revival of prominent agricultural subsidies in the last Telugu (TD) government, which provides up to 70% subsidies on harvesters and sprayers. These plans were stopped under the leadership of the YSR Congressional government, which used its “Rythu Bharosa” plan as an alternative. Despite the promise of 60 drones and the training of 47 youths under the program, the actual allocation was never achieved. The current government is now revitalizing and expanding drone programs.
