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CIHS – Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies > Drone
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Drone Didis to Revolutionize Bharat’s Farm Sector

Bharat has moved with purpose in spread of drones to revolutionize her huge farm sector that’s key to self-sufficiency model, feed 1.4 billion people and provide agriculture products and services globally. Having adopted drones consciously over last one decade, these flying objects mark significant advancement in agricultural output and modernizing farming processes. This creative plan is a big step towards using modern technology to solve long-standing issues in the agriculture sector that’s integral to Bharat’s way of life. Conventional agricultural spraying techniques that rely on physical labour or heavy gear lifting are time-consuming and less accurate in providing farm nutrients, soil supplements and water apart from spray of pesticides etc. Indian government has adopted use of drones in agriculture and related services to transform crop management and protection in light of constraints associated with physical handling of farm nutrients and pesticides. Modern spraying technology is being used on drones to cover huge tracts of fields with previously unheard-of precision and speed. These unmanned aerial vehicles are gradually taking the place of the labour-intensive and ineffective hand spraying method. Capacity of drone sprayers to reach difficult-to-get locations such as steep terrain or heavily forested areas, which are difficult for traditional machinery or labour is one of its main advantages. These drones provide optimal resource utilization and minimize waste by accurately targeting crops with necessary nutrients, herbicides or insecticides. This promotes sustainable farming practices. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) outfitted with cutting-edge sensors and GPS technology can apply pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers with unmatched precision and speed as well. Farmers can target particular portions of their fields with drone sprayers, minimizing resource waste and lessening environmental effect. Furthermore, farmers may concentrate on other key facets of agriculture because of the effectiveness of drone operations, which saves them a significant amount of labour and time. The drone sprayer plan has been widely praised for its potential to take Bharat’s agriculture to next level. Farmers that use this technique can increase crop yields, maximise resource usage and help improve their standard of living. Drone usage also supports India’s commitment to sustainable agriculture which lessens negative consequences of conventional farming methods while boosting eco-friendly solutions. Use of drone sprayers is expected to help millions of Indian farmers with a number of urgent problems. The advantages are numerous, ranging from lowering danger of chemical exposure for workers to minimizing environmental contamination brought on by overuse of pesticides. Furthermore, farmers benefit greatly from the increased efficiency that drones provide in terms of cost savings which eventually strengthens their financial security. Nonetheless, there are certain drawbacks to drone technology’s broad use in agriculture. Concerns including licensing processes, legal frameworks and cost must be addressed to guarantee easy integration and accessibility for farmers from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Policymakers, technology companies and other agricultural stakeholders must work together to tackle these challenges. The broad use of drone sprayers can be facilitated by cooperative projects that provide financial support, training and awareness-raising which could spark a paradigm shift in Indian agriculture. Most stakeholders in the farm sector will have to work in unison to adopt drones like other technologies. With the drone sprayer plan, Bharat is demonstrating its commitment to using innovations for sustainable development as it sets off on this revolutionary journey. In several other sectors as well, drones are being increasingly deployed to deliver pharmaceutical products and tackle life threatening emergency situations. India is positioned to usher in a new era of agricultural prosperity by embracing technology-driven solutions, empowering farmers, and promoting economic growth while protecting the environment for future generations. Drones for farm development Thanks to development of drone technology, India’s agriculture sector has undergone a spectacular revolution in recent years. These unmanned aerial vehicles are strong instruments that are changing how farmers manage their crops and nurture their land; they are not just futuristic gadgets. Drones have made a major contribution to Indian agriculture in the form of crop monitoring and management. Drones with cutting-edge cameras and sensors fly over huge stretches of farmland, taking high-resolution pictures that provide vital information on crop health, insect infestations, and soil conditions. With the use of this real-time data, farmers are better equipped to optimize their techniques for fertilization, irrigation, and pest management, which ultimately increases yields and minimises resource waste. Drone technology is also revolutionising farming techniques nationwide with precision agriculture. Drones optimise production by precisely directing inputs such as insecticides, fertilisers, and water, hence reducing waste and negative environmental effects. This accuracy is crucial for maintaining sustainable farming techniques for future generations in a nation where agricultural resources are becoming scarce. Drones are also excellent at large-scale mapping and surveying, giving farmers access to precise land-use surveys and maps. Better land management, crop selection and resource allocation are made possible by this capacity, which is especially important in India’s several agro-climatic zones where soil conditions vary greatly. Drones have advantages over traditional farming methods. Drones prove to be invaluable in hard-to-reach areas where conventional machinery is unable to operate. These flying marvels bridge the gap between farmers and their fields with their unprecedented efficiency and accessibility, whether they are monitoring crops or delivering necessary supplies. Drones are also essential for disaster management since they can quickly assess crop damage following natural disasters like floods or droughts. Drones minimize losses and aid recovery process by facilitating rapid response measures through the provision of precise and timely information. Overall, drone technology has the potential to revolutionize agriculture in Bharat by providing innovative solutions to challenges faced by farmers and enhancing efficiency and sustainability of agricultural practices.  However, coordinated efforts are required to guarantee affordability, accessibility and appropriate legal frameworks in order to fully reap its benefits. Drone technology has the potential to take Indian agriculture to new heights of wealth and sustainability if given the proper backing and funding. Drone Didis to helm farm reforms Under the ‘Namo Drone Didis’ scheme announced by Bharat’s government on November 30,  women in 15,000 self-help groups would be trained and

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Policy Security Technology
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India’s battle in the Skies: The Fight Against Pakistan’s Terror Drones

RahulPAWA | @imrahulpawa Recently, skies over India have become a battleground for an insidious new threat – terror drones. The severity of this menace was laid bare once again yesterday when Indian security forces detected a drone that had violated Indian airspace and was flying in from Pakistan near the international border in Gurdaspur district of the north Indian state of Punjab. In a swift retaliatory response, the Indian security forces fired upon the drone, causing it to retreat towards Pakistan. This incident follows a similar pattern from the previous month, where Indian security forces discovered a high-end Chinese-made DJI Matrice 300 RTK quadcopter in Gurdaspur that had infiltrated from Pakistan. The discovery of this sophisticated drone, valued at a staggering USD $13,700, is a sobering reminder of the growing use of advanced aerial technology by malevolent actors across borders. Moreover, not only Punjab has seen Pakistan-operated terror drones in violation of Indian airspace. Earlier this year, a drone was shot down in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar sector. Indian security forces recovered five packages of narcotics from the wreckage of that drone. In another incident of illegal cross-border drone droppings from November last year in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Samba district. The police recovered two unassembled improvised explosive devices with detonators, two Chinese-made pistols, four magazines loaded with 60 rounds, and half a million Indian rupees that were dropped by a terror drone controlled from Pakistan. With this recent uptick in Pakistan’s unmanned aerial vehicle activity, it is becoming incessantly clear that the incidents involving their terror drones in India are not isolated occurrences; rather, they represent a calculated and deliberate escalation of modern-day asymmetrical warfare aimed at undermining India’s security. The usage of such drones by Pakistan for activities like hostile reconnaissance, drug and weapon trafficking, and transporting explosives and ammunition into India has increased four times in Punjab alone since the beginning of this year. As a countermeasure, Indian security forces stationed along the international border states have ramped up their vigilance and intercepted more than a dozen terror drones from Pakistan in the past few weeks alone. It is no secret that Pakistan is deeply involved in the insidious practice of narco-terrorism. This is not mere hearsay but a widely acknowledged fact, confirmed by international organisations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (EUROPOL), and prominent forums such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+). The FATF’s demand last year for Pakistan to demonstrate concrete action against terrorism was a reminder of its precarious position on the FATF grey list. Recent scrutiny of Pakistan’s government-sponsored terrorism has also been directed towards its bid to revive a 2019 bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). There were serious concerns over using bailout funds, given Pakistan’s history of fostering secessionism and terrorism in India. Pakistan’s tumultuous past has been characterised by widespread criticism of its army’s rampant corruption, the government’s lack of developmental policies, and a blatant disregard for its citizen’s welfare. The country has been notorious for its efforts to cultivate jihadist extremism and sponsor terrorism against India, which has ultimately resulted in its downfall. Subsequently, a classic case study for the world to see as an example of how states that harbour and endorse extremism, sponsor terrorism, and lack coherent plans for their people’s growth and development are bound to fail. Concerningly, the increasing and escalating use of terror drones launched from Pakistan against India epitomises the mindset of the country’s deep state and army. Alarmingly, Pakistan seems to have decided to persist in diverting its valuable resources towards supporting terror, thereby continuing to nurture the monster of terrorism that it created, even though it has already bankrupted the country. By resorting to narco-terrorism, small arms smuggling and financing of terrorism by the use of terror drones with an aspiration to destabilise India, especially its youth. Pakistan is exposing itself to further repercussions at the hands of an able Indian national security apparatus and extreme scrutiny from its financial backers, organisations, unions and nations that greatly benefit it. Pakistan has active loans from international lending agencies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), among others. It is also a partner in the Paris Pact Initiative, which seeks to combat opiate trafficking, consumption and related issues along the Afghan trafficking routes. Pakistan benefits from Europe’s preferential tariff programmes, including the GSP+. However, Pakistan’s blatant support for organised crime, extremism and terrorism has seriously undermined its credibility. As a result, these agencies and entities have imposed new stringent rectification requirements on Pakistan’s support for terrorism and extremism to maintain their support. The country’s unwavering commitment to pursuing this treacherous path endangers regional stability and poses a significant threat to global peace and security. At this crucial juncture, the international community must recognise the gravity and implications of Pakistan’s “terror drones” deployment against India. Moreover, global leaders must take note of the nations that endorse and enable Pakistan’s actions. Pakistan’s long-standing ally, the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) led China, which boasts an unbreakable friendship with Pakistan, has become a source of concern. Recent findings of Pakistan-operated terror drones and weaponry recovered in Indian territory offer tangible evidence of Chinese technology, equipment, and weaponry being used for narco-terror and related terrorist activities in India. A considerable proportion of the drones used by Pakistan in cross-border operations in India are supplied by the Chinese firm SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. In December 2020, the US government listed DJI on a trade-restricted list due to concerns about its connections to the CPC government. Notably, some of the batteries that power these drones are manufactured by a company based in Karachi, Pakistan. Despite the CPC’s repeated claims of a firm commitment to combat international terrorism, doubts have arisen due to its continued support for Pakistan’s backed

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Cyber Security Media Technology World
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Drones for Development

Meghalaya transports medicines; Himachal uses drones to take apples to markets while rouge Pakistan exports drugs, arms and illicit money for terror K.A.Badarinath West Garo Hills district in Meghalaya has come trumps up for setting up the first centre at Jengjal sub-divisional hospital to deliver and distribute medicines to remotest parts through drones. An X3 certi-plane developed by an Indian start-up was used by the district administration to deliver 1.5 kilos of medicines to a remote Pedaldoba primary health centre in just 32 minutes two days back. In contrast, it would have taken over two hours to take medicines by road. Tech-Eagles, a drone start up is behind the entire operation for Meghalaya government’s hub and delivery network to supply medicines, blood, vaccines, blood components and life-saving drugs. This on the ground application of drones to fight inhospitable terrain and is a big break-through in India’s seven North Eastern sister states. Drones have the capability to cover a radius of 50 kilometres that would be enough to reach out to most remote parts of North Eastern villages bracing up to fight disease and get access to medicines, save lives. In Himachal Pradesh, innovators went a step ahead from medicines and blood samples delivery to transporting apples to roadside for their onward journey to mandis and export to South and South East Asian destinations. Himachal Pradesh with a drone policy has been betting big on drones to transport goods over the hills and bring consumers, producers and markets nearer to eliminate wastage, decay of fruits and vegetables and improve peoples’ earnings. Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti districts, Pangi in Bharmaur of Chamba, remote areas of Kullu, Mandi and Shimla that are under heavy snow blanket for about six months would get some respite with medicines, goods and connectivity intact through drones. Nichar panchayat in upper reaches of Kinnaur district recently transported up to 20 kilos apple in one go to road-head as a way to connect with markets. These two instances have been flagged as unique cases to underscore how technology came handy in India’s socio-economic development thrust by reaching out to the unreachable. Scores of drone applications from usage by logistics companies, delivery of groceries to usage in agriculture for application of pesticides and nano fertilizers is being done in India as part of its grand development strategy. In what can be termed diametrically opposite application, Pakistan used drones and technology to export guns to terrorists in Kashmir valley, drugs in Punjab as well as bomb Balochs that sought freedom from the Sunni extremist state led by its security establishment and draconian Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). A recent Border Security Force (BSF) briefing counted 16 drones from across Pakistan that were shot down in first ten months this year while attempts were being made to export arms and money to terrorists apart from drugs to peddlers. In fact, this menace of transporting drugs, illicit funds, arms, ammunition as part of ‘drones’ offensive’ by Pakistan security establishment has been on rise. Drones fuelled terror activities in both Border States seem to have doubled in 2022. Over 3000 kilometres of border with Pakistan spread across Punjab, Kashmir, Gujarat and Rajasthan have turned porous with easy pass over for drones deployed by Pakistan even as BSF and other para-military forces kept vigil. It’s not just Pakistan. Even countries like Ukraine have taken recourse to drones to counter battle offensive against Russia as part of its larger security policy. For instance, Kursk airfield in South West Russia was targeted by Ukraine last week for two days to retaliate for what it called ‘war crimes’ committed by Putin’s forces. Turkey, Iraq, Syria and several other Muslim dominated militias have used drones to settle scores with adversaries and create havoc in Europe and elsewhere. Yemeni Houthi rebels have had access to high technology drones and hit two key oil installations in Saudi Arabia during September 2019. These drones had damaged the oil refineries 500 miles away from Yemen border that heightened risks to energy supplies. This had also led to a huge flare up between US and Iran tensing up the entire Persian Gulf region. What clearly come out is should drones and other high technology driven vehicles be used to export terror, fight wars or redeployed to fight hunger, disease, link the remotest tribals and citizens with mainstream markets? India should take its avowed mission of pushing technology for development as a big narrative at G-20 as President and through Shanghai Cooperation Organization as its head. A framework may have to be evolved globally and with immediate neighbours on restricting drones usage to wage wars and terror campaigns in most unbecoming way.

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