By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 8 Oct: The ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (IISWC), Dehradun, has announced that the inauguration of its ‘Drone Pilot Training Centre and Information and Sale Counter’ will be held on 9 October at 10:30 a.m. at the IISWC Research Farm, Selaqui.
The establishment of this Drone Pilot Training Centre is a significant leap towards leveraging advanced technology for the benefit of agriculture. The centre aims to train individuals in the use of drones, with a special focus on agricultural applications such as precision farming, crop monitoring, and resource management. These technological interventions can greatly improve agricultural productivity, making farming more efficient, sustainable, and resilient.
Drones have emerged as a revolutionary tool in modern agriculture, playing a crucial role in the conservation of natural resources and enhancing agricultural productivity. They enable precise monitoring of crop health, efficient use of fertilizers and pesticides, and the effective management of irrigation systems, ensuring optimal use of resources like water and soil. This promotes sustainability and reduces the environmental impact of agricultural activities.
Moreover, the use of drones in agriculture offers a promising solution to unemployment, particularly in rural areas. The Drone Pilot Training Centre will equip individuals with skills in a rapidly growing field, opening up new employment opportunities for the youth. By becoming certified drone pilots, individuals can support various sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster management.
The inauguration will be done by Chief Guest Dr Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (NRM), ICAR, New Delhi, in presence of Guest of Honour Neena Grewal, Project Director (UCRREP), Directorate of Watershed Management, Dehradun, Dr Lakshmi Kant, Director, ICAR-VPKAS, Almora, and Dr Mahendra Kumar Verma, Director, ICAR-CITH, Srinagar (J&K), besides Dr M Madhu, Director, and staff of the ICAR-IISWC, Dehradun, RS Singh, CEO, Dronier Aviation, New Delhi, other dignitaries, stakeholders and farming communities.
The drone training centre is being established by ICAR-IISWC in collaboration with Dronier Aviation, and it is approved by DGCA for drone pilot training.
The program will also mark the inauguration of an Information and Sale Counter, where farmers and stakeholders will have access to prime farm inputs like seeds, saplings, planting materials, biofertilisers, modern tools and equipment. The event will feature a demonstration of agricultural drones, showcasing their practical applications in field conditions.
The event is an important step towards integrating technology into the agricultural sector to drive growth, improve productivity, and support sustainable development. This initiative aligns with the mission of ICAR-IISWC to strengthen India’s agriculture sector by promoting innovation, skill development, and farmer empowerment.
Programme highlights would include inaugurating the Drone Flying Zone, agricultural drone demonstrations, a dedicated session on drone pilot training for agriculture, Interaction sessions with farmers and experts and distribution of input kits to farmers.
