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Spray Tech Of GA Drones

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Application Of Drone Spray Technology in Agrarian Landscapes

Introduction

The explosion of the human population makes high productivity, and sustainable agriculture more important. The agricultural modernization is mandatory when demand and food supply are increased.

Therefore, today’s agriculture has become innovative and involved in technological advancements like Drone Tech for crop spraying which earlier has been an expensive, tedious and time-consuming task for farmers and agricultural production companies for centuries. Spraying many acres of fertile land will not be a laborious task anymore.

GA-Agri Spray Drone, an example of such inevitable technology which is quick. apt, sustainable, and cost saver. Becoming increasingly popular in agriculture for product application without harming the ecosystem in and around.

Solution to many Challenges

One of the key issues with conventional spraying is inconsistency and non-uniformity of spray, it is assumed that -to achieve satisfactory biological efficacy all droplets must be distributed on the target in uniform pattern. GA Drones have advanced droplet control, with improved reach, consistency and uniformity. The unique drone spray solution provides uniform application and coverage on the exposed foliage and covers the entire plant including the underside of the leaf. Good coverage of just the top of the canopy may be sufficient for adequate pest control with some products. However, both horizontal and vertical coverage of the plant is necessary for other situations, such as disease and insects that may be hidden in lower parts of canopies. GA drones, deliver an effective, uniform dose of product to a target area in a safe and timely manner with better coverage and droplet penetration into the canopy, than conventional sprayers.

Even when there is a full, dense soft crop, such as Cumin, a feasible method for product application without damaging the crop and sustaining all the good that’s possible was fulfilled with this drone.

In order to ensure uniform application of pesticide on crops, it is essential to carry out a marked spray mission to avoid multiple passes – leading to excessive use of agrochemicals which often results in Phytotoxicity.              

Conventionally sprayer operators relied on using either foam markers or other mechanical means to mark the edge of each spray pass and avoid excessive overlaps. However, neither approach was reliable, because under these conditions, the markings could be undetectable, especially with foam markings and when operator fatigue becomes an issue. These inefficient ways of marking often lead to repetitive use of chemicals, results in high cost of spray operation and adversely affect environment.

Wherein GA Drones enables precise positioning and marking for the sprayer, resulting in minimum overlap between each pass, and have the potential to complete its mission near around the field edges that would be missed in conventional methods.

By this way of uniform application, MRL could be controlled that often results in export rejections incurs harvest wastage. So, first of all what is Maximum residue limit (MRL)-it is defined as the highest concentration of a contaminating metabolite resulting from the use of medicinal products sprayed on crops, which may be legally permitted or recognized as acceptable in or on a food. If a residue level exceeds the MRL the crop has not been grown according to Good Agricultural Practices and the product is not permitted to be sold, imported or exported. GA Drones are capable of spraying precise amounts of agrochemicals, plant nutrients and other farm input products in a way that can ensure correct dosage of applicators and improve the overall effectiveness of the products and therefore resulting in the better yield with controlled MRL.

With an edge over other sprayers in terms of capacity, saving time and money invested these drones have validated their presence. Usually agri- sprayer takes 2 hours to cover just 1 acre of farmland with a manual cost involved in this whole procedure, while the drone takes just 12-15 mins to cover that one acre of land, thus could cover 60 acres of land per day.

The right balance, between the need to increase food production with the need to ensure the safety of people, food and the environment needs to be struck. According to the World bank insights India, uses 70% of its freshwater reserve available, for Agriculture. The use of water, within the agriculture sector is diverse and includes pesticide and fertilizer applications. The regular sprayers use gallons of water, on the other hand GA’s specialized agri-drones provided a uniform spray saving nearly 96% of water.

GA Spray Drone technology and the use of its Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in such applications has brought about incremental progress, saving time and cost envisaging huge potential in increasing farmer’s income. With every advancement these spray drones will be one of the most advantageous equipment for modern agriculture, as it has demonstrated overall much better spray-efficiency and yield, reducing wastage of natural resources at the same time, when compared to various conventional methods. It is a critical element in the protection of the environment and manpower in the developed world. GA will prove that Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, but an environmental, economic and social driver that’s changing our day-to-day lives in almost every way imaginable.

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Over the last few years, Drone technology has lured tech market. Drones are a technology platform that has found its credence in multiple industries ranging from photography to agriculture.

India, too is all set for capitalising on this boom after amending formerly designed drone rules in August 2021. Civil Aviation Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia said the rules are aimed at simplifying the procedures and reducing the compliance burden for drone operation. “…the new Drone Rules will trigger change ripples across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, mining, etc…,” he tweeted.

This validates, drones could change the face of various industries in India, one of which is highly challenging and demanding – the Agriculture Industry. Farming techniques have drastically evolved over the last few decades, the use of Drones (also known as Unmanned Aerial vehicles) in farming (agricultural drones) is one among its various evolutions. Efficient usage of drones in crop protection solutions within the confines of a regulatory framework is the need of the hour, so that agriculture is practised in a sustainable manner, without compromising the needs of the future generations.

The Bearer of Glad Tidings

The government of India recently released liberalised drone rules which will accelerate the growth of Indian entrepreneurs and encourage them to compete on a global stage in terms of drone technology development and usage.

The liberalised drone regulations were released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in August 2021 for Indians to reap benefits of the fascinating technology unlike ever before, making India – “ATMA NIRBHAR BHARAT”. With an ease in Drone regulations, drone manufacturers got a sigh of relief.

Liberalisation in the drone policies

Fees linked to issuance, transfer, or deregistration of the unique identification number has been reduced to just Rs 100, the fee for issuance or renewal of Remote Pilot License has been brought down[(PART 11 sec 3(i) Pt (XII) pt.46 August 25,2021]]. There is a visible deduction in maximum penalty for violations under the Drone Rules, now in 2021[(PART 11 sec 3(i) Pt (XII) pt.50 August 25,2021]].. Further simplification of the policy shows that operating a drone in green zones and maximum up to 400 feet or 120 metre that has not been designated as a red zone or yellow zone in the airspace map for unmanned aircraft system operations. No prior permission shall be required for operating an unmanned aircraft system in a green zone, subject to the provisions [(PART 11 sec 3(i) Pt (V), pt.22(2) August 25,2021]. The airspace above 200 feet or 60 metre in the area located between the lateral distance of 8 kilometre and 12 kilometre from the perimeter of an operational airport, shall be designated as Yellow zone and drones can only be operated after approval  [(PART 11 sec 3(i) Pt (V), pt.22(1) August 25,2021]. In the red zone, drones can only be operated only after approval from the central government [(PART 11 sec 3(i) Pt (V), pt.24]. Several approvals like unique authorization number, unique prototype identification number, certificate of manufacturing and airworthiness, certificate of conformance, certificate of maintenance, import clearance, acceptance of existing drones, operator permits, authorization of R&D organization, student remote pilot license, remote pilot instructor authorization, drone port authorization, etc. have been abolished under the new rule from DGCA. Research and Development. The authorized research and development organization shall conduct research and development unless obtaining the unique prototype identification number from the Director-General. There is no requirement for Type Certificate, unique identification number, and remote pilot license for R&D entities to operate in green zones [pt II sec 3(i), pt (VIII), pt 26- July 2021] . The number of forms for the certificate, registration, license, etc., has been reduced from 25 to 5[MoCA, pt4- August 2021]. The coverage of drones has been enhanced from 300 to 500 kgs [MoCA, pt.17- August 2021].

Remote Pilot Licence

A holder of a valid remote pilot licence enlisted on the digital sky platform shall operate an unmanned aircraft system [(PART 11 sec 3(i), pt. VI. Pt. 31- August 25,2021]. Only DGCA certified pilots, who have successfully completed such training as may be specified by the Director General, from any authorised remote pilot training organisation shall be permitted to fly the drones [(PART 11 sec 3(i), pt. VI. Pt. 34(1) August 25,2021]. Candidates must join one such training institute and clear the theoretical and practical tests [(PART 11 sec 3(i), pt.VI, pt34) August 25,2021] with the prerequisite of 18 years of age and must have cleared the 10th class [(PART 11 sec 3(i), pt.VI, pt33) August 25,2021] with basic English know how to understand the instructions. One needs to undergo a practical flying session from simple take-off, landing procedures to complex manoeuvres. After the training, the person shall be issued with a remote pilot certificate within seven days. Then the applicant is issued with a remote pilot license by the Director-General [(PART 11 sec 3(i), pt.VI. Pt. 34(4) August 25,2021]]from the given date of the remote pilot certificate, valid for next 10 years through the digital sky platform [PART II—SEC. 3(i), pt.VI, pt35(c) August 25,2021]]. Thus, easing the process of deploying a drone.

To practise agriculture in a sustainable manner, efficient usage of drones in crop protection within the confines of a regulatory framework is the need of the hour. This technology innovation could be the means of livelihood at many levels, be it the farmer, or maintenance or the pilot flying a drone, it needs manpower, thus contributing towards a better life of unemployed skilled laborers in rural areas.

General Aeronautics Agri-Drones brings indispensable synergy to the ecosystem – Sustaining farming practices for the future.

It’s Digital Now!

While the drone industry is still relevantly nascent, the regulation of such liberalised rules will significantly reduce the growth hurdles, the development of Digital Sky Platform is one such step. Requirements for manufacturers and other stakeholders have been eased for getting prototypes.

It would encourage start-ups and small and medium enterprises to create and expedite innovative-use cases of drones.  Drone Industry could be one such idea where, the Atma Nirbhar Bharat scheme can be well implemented.

Production linked incentive (PLI Scheme) in drone manufacturing

To urge start-ups and MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) to invest in drone technology, the government of India has kept the eligibility norm of annual sales turnover at a low level, which could prompt companies to take risks in the drone ecosystem – boosting its drone industry.

Similarly, for non-MSME companies, the annual sales turnover cap has been set in accordance to them. To expand the scope of these benefits, the Production Linked Incentives (PLI) has been put into motion in India. PLI for a manufacturer shall be capped at 25% of total annual outlay [pt 13- MoCA, PLI- September 2021]. This will allow widening the number of beneficiaries. The incentive for a manufacturer of drones and drone components shall be as high as 20% of the value addition made by them [pt 12- MoCA, PLI- September 2021].

The government has a total of 120 crores for the PLI scheme and agreed to keep the PLI rate at 20 percent for the next three years an exceptional treatment given only to the drone industry  [pt 15- MoCA,
PLI- September 2021]. In PLI schemes for other sectors, the PLI rate reduces every year. If a manufacturer makes up the shortfall for the eligible value addition for a particular financial year, they can claim the lost incentive in the subsequent year  [pt 14- MoCA, PLI- September 2021].

With this incentive, there will be a visible growth in development of these cutting-edge products making India a drone technology hub in the coming years.  Government of India estimate claims that such concrete measures could drive drone and drone manufacturing industries to witness huge investments and it will open up new possibilities for innovation and business.

With these relaxed norms, the production and application of drones will definitely touch new heights. The new rules are the major breakthrough for Indian drone Industry. India is bound to become the drone hub with its world class solutions

Disclaimer: The above written article is based on the sub sets of rules published by Government of India. The content of this article is intended to provide a general summary to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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