Bagaha/Patna: Sugarcane farmers in Bihar’s Bagaha subdivision are increasingly adopting drone-based nano-fertiliser spraying as an alternative to conventional urea amid an ongoing shortage of the fertiliser.
According to the Agriculture Department, drone spraying of Nano DAP and Nano Fertiliser (28-28-0) has been introduced in the Bargaon area to help farmers maintain crop nutrition while reducing dependence on conventional urea.
Farmers Report Improvement In Crop Health
Several farmers who adopted the technology said they observed visible improvements in their sugarcane crops within 48 hours of spraying.
According to the farmers, leaves that had turned yellow during the urea shortage regained their green colour, and overall crop growth improved after the application of nano-fertilisers.
Agriculture Department Promotes Alternative
Sub-divisional Agriculture Officer Rajesh Kumar said the initiative was launched after farmers approached the department over difficulties in procuring urea.
The department recommended drone-based spraying of nano-fertilisers as an alternative and subsequently organised a campaign in the region. According to officials, drone spraying has been carried out on 37 acres of farmland in Bargaon.
Farmers Adopt Drone Technology
Farmers including Akhilesh Kumar, Chanda Devi, Amit Mishra, Rekha Devi, Munna Sah, Munna Chaudhary, Mangal Kumar, Santosh Kumar and Brijesh Kumar have used the technology on their fields, most of which cover around two acres each.
They said drone spraying ensures more uniform application of fertilisers and reduces the time required to cover large areas.
Lower Input Costs
According to farmers, the combined cost of drone services and nano-fertiliser is less than Rs 1,500 per acre.
They said a 500 ml bottle of Nano DAP, priced at around Rs 225, is sufficient for one acre, while a bag of conventional urea costs about Rs 267. Farmers said the lower application cost and reported crop response have encouraged wider adoption of the technology.
Officials Encourage Scientific Farming
Rajesh Kumar urged farmers to adopt scientific and modern agricultural practices in response to changing farming conditions.
“Farmers should adopt scientific and modern farming practices in view of changing circumstances. The balanced use of nano-fertilisers supplies essential nutrients to crops, while drone technology enables efficient spraying over large areas in a short time,” he said.
He advised farmers to use fertilisers only in accordance with recommendations issued by the Agriculture Department.
