Govt To Promote Drone Use In Agriculture, Provide Grant To Agri Institutes For Drones

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Govt to promote drone use in agriculture, provide grant to agri institutes fo...

Govt to promote drone use in agriculture, provide grant to agri institutes for drones

by Argus News

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The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued guidelines to make drone technology affordable to the stakeholders of this sector.

New Delhi, Jan 23: In a major boost to promote precision farming in India, the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued guidelines to make drone technology affordable to the stakeholders of this sector.

The guidelines of Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization' (SMAM) have been amended, which envisages granting upto 100 per cent of the cost of agriculture drone or Rs 10 lakh, whichever is less, as grant for purchase of drones by the Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institutes, ICAR institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and state agriculture universities for taking up large scale demonstrations of this technology on the farmers' fields.

The Farmers Producers Organisations (FPOs) would be eligible to receive grants up to 75 per cent of the cost of agriculture drone for its demonstrations on the farmers' fields, a release from the Ministry of Agriculture said.

A contingency expenditure of Rs 6,000 per hectare would be provided to implementing agencies that do not want to purchase drones but will hire them for demonstrations from custom hiring centres (CHCs), hi-tech hubs, drone manufacturers and start-ups.

The contingent expenditure to implementing agencies that purchase drones for drone demonstrations would be limited to Rs 3,000 per hectare. The financial assistance and grants would be available until March 31, 2023.

In order to provide agricultural services through drone application, 40 per cent of the basic cost of drone and its attachments or Rs 4 lakh, whichever less would be available as financial assistance for drone purchase by existing CHCs, which are set up by Cooperative Society of Farmers, FPOs and rural entrepreneurs.

The new CHCs or the hi-tech hubs that will be established by the Cooperative Societies of Farmers, FPOs and rural entrepreneurs with financial assistance from SMAM, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana or any other schemes can also include drone as one of the machines along with other agricultural machines in the projects of CHCs/hi-tech hubs, the release said.

Agriculture graduates establishing CHCs would be eligible to receive 50 per cent of the basic cost of the drone and its attachments or up to Rs 5 lakh in grant support for drone purchases.

Rural entrepreneurs should have passed class 10 examination or its equivalent from a recognised board and should have a remote pilot licence from an institute specified by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) or from any authorised remote pilot training organisation.

The drone operations are being permitted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and DGCA through the conditional exemption route.

MoCA has published Drone Rules 2021 vide GSR No. 589(E) dated August 25, 2021, to regulate the use and operation of drones in India. The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare department has also brought out standard operating procedures for use of drone application with pesticides for crop protection in agricultural, forestry, non-cropped areas, etc. and for drone application in spraying for soil and crop nutrients.
(IANS)

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Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Reviews Progress On Metro Rail Phase-2 Project

by Manisha Das

Gandhinagar, Dec 9: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel conducted a comprehensive inspection of the ongoing operations related to the 6.5 km stretch of the C-2 project on the Metro Rail Phase-2 route from Motera to Gandhinagar.

This crucial phase of the project holds significance for the state's transportation infrastructure, aiming to enhance connectivity between Motera and Gandhinagar.

Accompanied by Chief Advisor Hasmukh Adhia, Chairman of Metro Rail Corporation SS Rathore, and other senior secretaries, CM Patel meticulously examined various aspects of the railway route and stations currently under construction.

During the inspection, the Chief Minister's visit covered a span from Bhaijipura to Ch-2, focusing on key areas including Dholakuwa, Randesan, Gift City, and other strategic locations along the route.

In addition to assessing the Metro Rail developments, CM Patel extended his scrutiny to the construction work underway on the Visat to Narmada to Koba Circle road.

The Chief Minister engaged with project stakeholders, obtaining technical insights into the ongoing construction activities.

The Metro Rail Phase-2 project is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Gujarat's modernised and interconnected urban landscape.

(ANI)

Also Read: National News

EU Lawmakers Agree On Artificial Intelligence Laws

by Manisha Das

Washington DC, Dec 9: European Union lawmakers on Friday agreed to one of the world's first major comprehensive artificial intelligence laws, CNN reported. The legislation called AI Act set up a regulatory framework to promote the development of AI while addressing the risks related to the rapidly evolving technology.

The legislation imposes a ban on harmful AI practises "considered to be a clear threat to people's safety, livelihoods and rights." The EU lawmakers' decision comes amid growing concerns over the disruptive capabilities of artificial intelligence, according to CNN report.

While addressing a news conference, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola termed the law a "balanced and human-centred approach" that she stressed will "no doubt be setting the global standard for years to come."

The regulatory framework, which categorises AI applications based on risk and tightens regulation on higher risk levels, was initially proposed in 2021, according to CNN report.

The risksy uses of Artificial Intelligence have been banned. According to the law, those include systems that target certain vulnerable groups, biometric identification systems for law enforcement uses and artificial intelligence that employs manipulative "subliminal techniques."

Limited-risk systems, such as chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT, or technology that generates images, audio or video content, will face new transparency obligations under the law.

Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for Internal Market, stressed that AI Act is much more than a rulebook.
Taking to X, Breton stated, "Historic! The EU becomes the very first continent to set clear rules for the use of AI The #AIAct is much more than a rulebook -- it's a launchpad for EU startups and researchers to lead the global AI race. The best is yet to come!"

Artificial intelligence entered the mainstream after the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot in November 2022. Generative AI technology gained popularity and led to an AI arms race, according to CNN report.

AI's disruption extends well beyond the world of big tech: educators have struggled with generative AI's ability to complete schoolwork assignments; artists and musicians have grappled with the possibility of AI-fueled imitation. (ANI)

PM Modi Lauds Uttarakhand CM Dhami On Launching 'House Of Himalayas' Brand

by Manisha Das

Dehradun, Dec 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on launching the 'House of Himalayas' brand during the Global Investors Summit in the state on Thursday.

Speaking during the main event of Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit-2023 today, PM Modi said that the 'House of Himalayas' brand strengthens the concept of 'Vocal for Local and Local for Global.'

Highlighting the 'Vocal for Local and Local for Global' campaign, PM Modi said, "India's special development has happened in the last few years. There was a population of the country that was deprived of everything. Now, due to the government's schemes, more than 13 crore people have come out of poverty in just 5 years. All these have given a boost to the economy. Today the country's consumption-based economy is moving forward rapidly.

We have to become 'Vocal for local and local for global."

He further said that the major development projects in the state have opened the doors for every investor.
"Today in Uttarakhand, work on village roads is going on at a very fast pace. That day is not far when the Delhi-Dehradun expressway travel time is about to be two hours. The rail line here is about to be strengthened. All these paths have brought golden opportunities for every investor," he said.

"Areas that have lagged in development are being brought forward, which means Uttarakhand has unmatched potential for every investor to reap maximum benefits. The state is going to emerge as a new brand of empowerment. There are possibilities here like nature, culture, heritage, Ayurveda, Yoga," PM Modi said.

He asserted that the third decade of the 21st century is the decade of Uttarakhand and all of you are also getting a huge opportunity to join this development journey of the state.

PM Modi also emphasized, "In my 3rd term as PM of the country, India will be listed in the top 3 economies in the world."

Before inaugurating the summit, PM Modi held a roadshow in Dehradun and also inspected an exhibition at the venue of the Global Investors Summit 2023 in Dehradun.