PM Modi flags off 100 ‘Kisan Drones’, says a new culture of drone startups is getting ready in India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off 100 Kisan Drones for spraying pesticides and other farm materials. He said these drones are the beginning of a new revolution.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off 100 'Kisan Drones' in different parts of the country for spraying pesticides and other farm materials. The officials described it as a "very novel and exciting initiative" for farmers.
The PM also expressed confidence that India's rising capability in the drone sector will give the world a new leadership.
Addressing the speech, the PM said a new culture of drone startups is getting ready in India. Their numbers will soon be in thousands from over 200 now, leading to the generation of employment opportunities on a massive scale. He said his government will ensure there is no impediment in the sector's development and has already undertaken several reforms and policy measures to facilitate its rise.
The Union Budget 2022 announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also had multiple mentions of leveraging drone technology across sectors, including the use of Kisan Drones and Drone Shakti to encourage drone pilot certification.
“This is an example of how high the country can fly if policies are right, Modi said, noting that drones were mostly associated with the defence sector until a few years back.”
The PM mentioned the government did not waste time on apprehensions about opening up the drone sector but trusted India's young talent and moved ahead with a new mindset.
Noting that drones have diverse usages, Modi said, they have been used in the 'Swamitva Yojana' aimed at creating a record of land ownership in villages and transporting medicines and vaccines.
He said 'Kisan Drones' are the beginning of a new revolution. Farmers can use high-capacity drones in the coming times to transport their produce like fruits, vegetables, and flowers to markets in a minimal time, boosting their income.
"This is a new chapter in providing modern farming facilities in the 21st century, and not only will it prove to be a milestone in the development of the drone sector but also open infinite possibilities," the PM added.
Later, Modi tweeted, "Glad to have witnessed Kisan Drones in action at 100 places across the country. This is a commendable initiative by a vibrant startup, @garuda_india. Innovative technology will empower our farmers and make agriculture more profitable."
Edited by Suman Singh