The ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun, successfully inaugurated Drone Pilot Training Centre and Information and Sale Counter on October 09, 2024, at the IISWC Research Farm, Selakui, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (NRM), ICAR, New Delhi inaugurated series of facilities and infrastructures including drone pilot training center, training hostel, sale-cum-information counter of IISWC at Selakui research farm. In his inaugural address, Dr Suresh Kumar highlighted the critical role of drones in revolutionizing agriculture, fostering employment opportunities, and promoting environmental conservation. He informed the gathering that use of drone may solve problems of undulating terrain, manpower shortage and effective resource use, though it may not be a solace for all the problems of agriculture. Dr Suresh Kumar expressed his interest in establishing this sort of drone training centers in few other ICAR institutes.

Dr Mahendra Kumar Verma, Director, ICAR-CITH, Srinagar (J&K) a Guest of Honor spoke on the uniqueness of drone training at ICAR-IISWC that would cater to the need of the training to people of Himalayan states. He appreciated the inauguration of sale cum information center, which would provide produces and information that are available with other ICAr Institute including CITH. Dr Lakshmi Kant, Director, ICAR-VPKAS, Almora graced the occasion by sharing his and his Institute’s experience on hill agriculture. Dr M Madhu, Director, welcoming the dignitaries and participants informed that the drone training center in collaboration with Dronier Aviation, New Delhi is unique in itself meant for agriculture uses, surveys, sprays and areal management of area. He informed that this is the first of its kind in whole of the ICAR institutes. Sh R.S. Singh, CEO, Dronier Aviation, New Delhi informed that this is 3rd training center being organized by his Firm in collaborations with concern Institutions or universities. He spoke on the importance of drone pilot training and without this training and licensing no one is allowed to fly drone in our country. He shared that the drone training center at IISWC was highly appreciated by the team of Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), while assessing to issue approval as it has all parapheranalia meant for the training. Dr PR Ojasvi, summed up the program with formal vote of thanks.

Earlier Dr M Sankar, OIC Research Farm welcomed the participants and conducted a field visit and demonstration. The training center would address safety, risk management, compliance with regulatory standards, enhancing skills, repair and maintenance and assistance in employment for the trained pilots. With an increasing demand for drone pilots across agriculture, infrastructure, and disaster management sectors, this initiative will create new job opportunities, particularly for youth in rural communities. The Drone Pilot Training Centre will equip individuals with the skills to operate these advanced technologies, creating a new generation of skilled drone pilots, crucial for modern agriculture. This shift to technology-driven farming will boost agricultural productivity and empower farmers with efficient tools for resource management. Drones reduce water and pesticide usage through targeted spraying, which in turn supports sustainable agricultural practices by minimizing environmental harm. The newly inaugurated Information and Sale Counter under ONE-ICAR initiatives has already received positive feedback from farmers and stakeholders. Information Center will serve as a knowledge hub, offering expert advice and updates on modern agricultural techniques, thus fostering a collaborative learning environment for farmers. Ms Deepa Tomar, a progressive farmer spoke on the organic farming and the benefits she reaped. The program was attended by 50 farmers, 20 entrepreneurs, state government officials from line departments, NABARD, KVK, Dkarani, local academia, staff and scientists of IISWC, regular trainees of the Institute, BTech students, other ICAR Institutes, retired scientists and staff of IISWC.

The program marked the inauguration of an Information and Sale Counter, where farmers and stakeholders can have access to prime farm inputs like seeds, modern tools and equipment. Besides, this, demonstration of agricultural drones, showcasing their practical applications in field conditions were exhibited. During the program, 2 research publications were released and scientists and staff were felicitated for their contribution to the training center and R &D activities at the Institute. Women farmers exhibited a folk dance to mark the induration of the training center. Framers were given with improved seeds and farming kits under SCSP scheme of the Institute.