Indian Farmers Increase Crop Yields Using Technology

An increasing number of Indian farmers are utilizing technology, from sensor-based irrigation equipment to agriculture drones that monitor crop health, to combat low yields and unpredictable weather.

In addition to smart sensor-based irrigation equipment that can water fields more effectively, there are applications that offer farmers professional advice and the most recent weather forecasts.

To address the issue of food security, India need technology in agriculture.

To get agriculture drones to farms, we're collaborating with partners. With the use of these devices, fields may be surveyed, crops' health can be examined, and herbicides and insecticides can be sprayed more effectively and uniformly.

Small farms often rely on hand spraying of crops, which restricts the amount of ground they can successfully cover.

TECHNOLOGY HOLDUPS

There are still obstacles in the way of more Indian farmers embracing technology, though.

For instance, operating an agricultural drone requires obtaining a drone pilot license and having a certain level of technological knowledge.

Another issue is that, even with the aid of available government subsidies, some farmers would not be able to invest in technologies that cost thousands of dollars.

Santosh Borade, a farmer, asked: "How can farmers afford this technology when they couldn't even afford a decent home for themselves? We need a lot of money to afford any kind of technology.

Having access to the internet is a problem as well since many farmers don't know how to use it, according to observers. In rural locations, network connectivity for smartphone users is frequently spotty.

India has begun deploying 5G services, which if they reach rural regions would increase Internet speeds and expand the opportunities for using technology in agriculture.

The federal government is working on a project known as its "digital agricultural mission," which includes ideas for allocating funding to states for initiatives that boost the use of technology.

However, analysts think there is more work to be done before technology in agriculture can really take off.