10 self-help groups from various talukas identified by agri dept
Padmavati Prabhu
Panaji: In a bid to improve agricultural productivity, reduce drudgery and ensure sustainable farming practices, the Directorate of Agriculture aims at expanding drone usage in the farming sector.
Accordingly, the state government has initiated steps to create Drone Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) to provide on-demand drone services to farmers.
“The process to create Drone CHCs is currently under way in collaboration with women self-help groups (SHGs) and we will promote the use of drone in farming to increase productivity,” a senior government official said, adding that the initiatives are aligned with the central government’s vision of digital agriculture and women empowerment through technology. Additionally, to promote the use of drones for farming, the state government is implementing Namo Drone Didi which is a central sector scheme.
The Agriculture Department has identified 10 SHGs from different talukas as per the target allotted by the Centre. This has been done in consultation with the Rural Development Agency and it has been communicated to the Union Ministry of Agriculture. Currently, the department is waiting to receive ten drones from the lead fertiliser company (Rashtriya Chemicals Fertiliser Limited) which is the nodal department responsible for implementation of Namo Drone Didi.
“Once we receive the drones, the 10 SHGs will be imparted training to become licensed drone pilots and operators,” the official said.
The official informed that currently the drones are being used by farmers in Salcete taluka wherein the drone services are provided by the service provider.
“Also, drone demonstrations and limited-scale operations have been initiated in Tiswadi, Bardez, Ponda, Bicholim, Sanguem, Pernem and Salcete talukas,” the official said.
The department has attributed the negligible or limited use of drones in farming to various factors.
“The state’s small landholdings pose a significant challenge. Unlike other states with vast contiguous farmland, Goa’s fragmented agricultural plots make drone operations economically unviable. Another major impediment unique to Goa is its extensive red zones, as 30 per cent of Goa’s land falls under red zones, including the entire coastline. This severely restricts drone operations, particularly affecting paddy fields in South Goa’s coastal belt,” the official said.
