Kurukshetra farmers give massive response to nano urea spray through drones

Nitish Sharma

Kurukshetra, February 20

Kurukshetra farmers have shown interest in the use of drones for spraying nano urea fertiliser on wheat crop in the district.

As per information, the district had a target of spraying nano urea on 6,000 acres while online applications were received for 6,200 acres. Of the total area, spraying has been done in 4,200-acre (nearly 3,700-acre s drone through the drones while about 500-acres through the knapsack sprayer) so far.

Process saves time

• Spray of urea through drones also saves time as one drone can cover more than 15-20 acres in a day while a farmer will take a couple of days to cover the same area
• The cost of spraying is Rs 625 per acre, comprising Rs 400 for drone and Rs 225 for nano urea bottle, but the farmers are charged Rs 100 per acre only. The government is bearing the rest of the cost of Rs 525 per acre

As per the data, block-wise targets were given in the district. In the Thanesar block, registrations were received for over 1,272 acres against the target of 900 acres. In Pipli, registrations were received for over 609 acres against 700 acres, in Ladwa 676 acres against 800 acres, and in Shahabad block 754 acres against 900 acres.

70% area completed so far

The target of 6,000 acres was achieved and spraying has been done in nearly 70 per cent area so far. The weather has been fluctuating but we are confident that the entire area will be completed within a week. — Dr Surinder Malik, Deputy Director, Agriculture, Kurukshetra

The Agriculture Department official believe that the use of nano urea is more efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly than the conventional urea.

An official said, “Excessive use of chemical fertilisers deteriorates the fertility of the soil and it also causes air pollution by nitrogen oxides which along with the other atmospheric gases contributes to the greenhouse effect. Nano-fertilisers can lead to efficiency in the application of nutrient fertiliser and better crop harvest with a minimal environmental footprint. The farmers are being made aware of the ill-effects of excessive use of chemical-based fertilisers on the soil, crops, and environment.”

Jitender Mehta, SDO, Agriculture, Kurukshetra, said, “The farmers have shown a lot of interest for the scheme. Spray of urea through drones also saves time as one drone can cover more than 15-20 acres in a day while a farmer will take a couple of days to cover the same area. The cost of spraying is Rs 625 per acre, comprising Rs 400 for drone and Rs 225 for nano urea bottle, but the farmers are charged Rs 100 per acre only. The government is bearing the rest of the cost of Rs 525 per acre.”

Dr Surinder Malik, Deputy Director, Agriculture, Kurukshetra, said, “The target of 6,000 acres was achieved and spraying has been done in nearly 70 per cent area so far. The weather has been fluctuating but we are confident that the entire area will be completed within a week.”