kAU's successfully sown paddy seeds using drone technology.
Drone Technology in Agriculture is now being used for sowing paddy seeds.
Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has successfully experimented with using drones to sow paddy seeds, a breakthrough in agricultural technology.
The experiment was conducted by the M.S. Swaminathan Rice Research Centre under KAU, in collaboration with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Kumarakom. The team used a drone equipped with a seed broadcasting unit to seed a one-acre field in Chakkankari, Alappuzha.
Benefits:-
The drone seeder offers several advantages:
Time-saving :
Seeding an acre of land took just 25 minutes, compared to the hours or even days required by traditional methods.
Seed conservation:
The drone seeder used only 30 kg of seeds, compared to the recommended 50 kg for traditional seeding methods.
Labor cost reduction:
The drone reduces the need for manual labor, saving farmers money on labor charges.
The Drone Seeder
The drone seeder has a capacity of 10 kg and made three fly-bys to complete the task. Although drones are commonly used for fertilizer and micronutrient application, this is a pioneering effort in using drones for sowing seeds.
Promoting Agricultural Technology
The success of the drone seeder aligns with KAU's efforts to promote cutting-edge technology and mechanization in the farm sector. The university plans to encourage farmers to adopt this innovative method, which could revolutionize rice cultivation in the state.
Team Effort
The experiment was led by scientists from the MSS Rice Research Centre, including Joby Bastin, Nimmi Jose, Bindu P.S., and KVK coordinator Jayalakshmi, along with Manuel Alex and Asha Pillai.
This breakthrough has the potential to transform the agricultural landscape in Kerala, enhancing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.
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