IIFL Foundation, one of India’s largest corporate social initiative foundations has launched Rajasthan’s first ‘Agricultural Drone’ at Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT) to boost research. This is also one of India’s first agricultural drone initiatives by a CSR foundation.
The custom made 2 meter wide, battery powered drone can spray over an area of 1 acre in less than 3 minutes. An android phone is mounted to its wireless remote that allows easy navigation. The structure comprises of 6 arms, 6 propellers and 4 spraying nozzles which can easily cover large farm areas in few hours that takes a day or 2 for manual spraying.
The drone was launched by Vice Chancellor of MPAUT Dr. Narendra Singh Rathod, Mrs Madhu Jain, Director IIFL Foundation, Dr. Lakhan Poswal, Principal, RNT Medical College (Udaipur) and members of MPUAT at the instructional farm in MPUAT’s campus, Udaipur, in presence of Farmers.
IIFL Foundation has provided this custom built agricultural drone to MPUAT for research and educational purpose. Thedrone having an AUW (All up weight) of 25 Kgs. isdesigned and built by blueINFINITY Innovation Labs (P) Ltd., capable of carrying15litres of liquid. This marked as avery first technological innovation of its kind in Rajasthan, to promote next-generation modernization in farming.
Dr. Narendra Singh Rathod, Vice Chancellor of MPUAT said, “We are highly grateful to IIFL Foundation for choosing our University to grant such an innovation. Of all the technological innovations that have been made in agriculture, drone based services is definitely the next best step. Currently the Drone will be used to spray insecticides, pesticides and other liquid based supplementary nutrition to the crops. In coming time we shall certainly enhance the technology with research and contribution of our students.”
Mrs. Madhu Jain, Director IIFL Foundation, said, “IIFL group is one of the largest financial services conglomerate and its CSR Arm – IIFL Foundation , through its activities is creating an impact among communities through the ideology of HELP – health, education, livelihood and poverty alleviation. The agricultural drone is an innovation that shall allow farmers to save time spent on manual spraying, avoid over exertion in the extreme hot climate & also safeguard them against any illness arising out from over-exposure to pesticides & insecticides”
This is IIFL Foundation’s second drone initiative after the successful launch of Maharashtra’s first drone-based last mile vaccine delivery in Palghar district. The project was done in partnership with Ministry of Health and Government of Maharashtra. It became India’s first such innovation with a payload capacity of 5 kg and operating within a radius of 25 km, delivering life saving vaccines at the earliest.
The IIFL Foundation’s Drone Vaccine Delivery has been awarded the ‘Most Innovative Solution for COVID-19’ award at the prestigious World CSR Congress (2022). The project was the subject of discussion at the Dubai Expo 2022 and many Asian, European and African governments are looking to replicate it with the permission of the relevant authorities.
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