Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, March 5, 2025, Basirhat, North 24 Parganas : The use of drones in agriculture has begun in Basirhat, surprising many and ushering in a new era of technological advancement in farming. A special workshop was organized from the border of Basirhat to encourage farmers in the Sundarbans to adopt modern agricultural equipment, including state-of-the-art agricultural drones, for enhanced farming efficiency.
With financial support from the state government’s agriculture department, agricultural drone technology made its debut in the Haroa block of the Sundarbans, Basirhat. These advanced drones allow for the automated and precise application of irrigation, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, medicinal plants, and sub-nutrients from desired heights. This innovation significantly reduces farming costs and minimizes the demand for manual agricultural labor.
While concerns about potential job losses exist, the integration of modern technology in agriculture cannot be overlooked. The adoption of drones and other advanced machinery is expected to make farming more environmentally friendly, high-yielding, and overall more profitable. Apart from drones, the government-subsidized agricultural machinery bank provides a diverse range of farming equipment, including tractor-trolleys, power-driven chaff cutters, and pulverizers.
Additionally, two government-recognized farmers’ organizations have established machinery rental centers in Haroa block. These centers offer equipment such as tractors, mini rice mills, and rotavators, allowing local farmers to rent necessary machinery at affordable prices for use on their land. This initiative not only benefits individual farmers but also provides financial advantages to farmer production groups.
A special workshop was held at Haroa Basabati to introduce farmers to these cutting-edge technologies and demonstrate their applications. Farmers expressed enthusiasm and optimism about the use of modern technology in agriculture, recognizing its potential to enhance productivity and sustainability.
