Institute to show the right way to spray chemicals using drones

PUNE: ICAR-Directorate of Onion & Garlic Research (DOGR), Rajgurunagar, will soon demonstrate the correct quantity and method of spraying of chemicals on onion and garlic farms in the state using drones. The DOGR has received two drones from the central government for this purpose.

Dr. Vijay Mahajan, director, of DOGR, said that the objective is to first standardize the spraying process at its research facility by calibrating the optimum height, drone speed, concentration of pesticide-insecticide, etc for various types of onion and garlic crops and then demonstrate it to farmers.

Mahajan said that since this is a new technology, there is a need to standardize the process. “Every crop is different. For example, a sugar cane crop is tall, while an onion crop reaches a height of about 2.5ft. Similarly, the chemicals used to protect them from various types of diseases are different. Once we have standardized the process, we will be able to teach growers accordingly,” he said.

Dr. Rajiv Kale, a scientist at ICAR-DOGR who is in charge of the project, said that from the traditional knapsack sprayer to the tractor-mounted sprayers, spraying chemicals on fields has changed a lot and drones will revolutionize the agricultural sector, saving labor, money, and time.

“There are many onion growing belts in the state in Nashik, Pune, Ahmednagar, etc. We will be demonstrating the use of drones to spray on 250 hectares of farmland. So, two drones will cover an area of 500 hectares during demonstrations. This will be done free of cost so that farmers understand the process and use it in their fields,” said Kale.

Source: The Times of India, Mar 30, 2023