Bayer, a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and agriculture has announce that it has initiate the commercial application of drones in agriculture from Kharif 2022.
Drone services will be made available for crop protection purposes across paddy, cotton, soybean, corn and horticulture crops in a phase manner.
Bayer became the first company to initiate internal trials and association with universities and research stations for technology development and regulatory data generation.
The services will benefit smallholder farmers across the states of Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and many other states in field crops and other horticultural crops where farmers are facing challenges.
Additionally, the move will also benefit Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Progressive farmers by providing opportunities to village entrepreneurs who are running Better Life Farming centers and others interested in leveraging drone services for their enterprises to offer solutions to smallholder farmers.
Bayer will support such entrepreneurs by facilitating machinery, Crop and product know-how, business support and training.
Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head – Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka, Said :
“We welcome the Government’s encouraging efforts to develop drone technology ecosystem for Indian farmers and allow commercial usage of drones for Crop protection purposes. This is a positive step toward sustainable agriculture and for enhancing smallholder farmers’ prosperity. We are committed to bringing about a positive change by advancing digitization and mechanization in agriculture to spur food security in the region.
Bayer supports the vision of Make in India and has partnered with innovative Indian drone startups, to make drone-based services available to farmers and create livelihood opportunities for upcoming rural entrepreneurs.
Drone applications in agriculture are endless – from efficient crop protection to spraying, mapping and surveying.
Cumbersome tasks can be co-opt by such technologies, such as by ensuring the target, uniform application of insect, weed and disease-control products across the farmland.
This can also lead to increased time in farmers’ hands for other tasks, which could spur diversification in their fields.
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition.
Its products and services are design to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population.
Bayer is commit to drive sustainable development and generate a positive impact with its businesses.
At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth.
The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability, and quality throughout the world.
In fiscal 2021, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 44.1 billion euros.
R&D expenses before special items amounted to 5.3 billion euros.
