Several famers in the state are facing the issue of their transplanted paddy being damaged after remaining under water following the recent rains.
It is learnt that drone technology can come to the rescue of the farmers by reviving the damaged crop. This method was effectively used at the Tolleband water body at Benaulim to revive the damaged paddy which was transplanted recently.
The drone technology was reportedly used to undertake special spraying of urea over the fields to revive the damaged paddy. This method also controls the weeds which have made an extensive presence in the fields after the rains.
The program has reportedly been supported by Indian Council of Agricultural Research in terms of equipment and financial assistance and could be a model to revive paddy fields across the state.
Ideally every successful farmer needs to possess a drone which can be used to improve the yield in their farm. However the cost of drones seems prohibitive.
The government needs to increase the subsidy on purchase of drones for agricultural purposes which will go a long way in bringing the Goan youth back to farming activities in the State.
