Jaipur (Rajasthan): In a first-of-its-kind attempt, Rajasthan Agriculture Department has deployed drones on a trial basis to clear the locust swarm, which has become a great threat for crops. Several districts of Rajasthan were put on high alert after swarms of locusts invaded from Pakistan, escalating tension for the farmers.
This comes after locals complained to MLA Ramlal Sharma about the threat posed by the locusts, prompting him to report the matter to the state Agriculture Department on Thursday.
"Drones are filled with 10 litres chemicals in its spray tank and produce a sound which disperses the locusts into different areas. Drones have proved to be helpful in controlling the locust in open areas and foothills," said an official of the agricultural department.
Locust control operations were undertaken in the wee hours of Thursday with the help of control spray vehicles, tractor mounted sprayers and fire brigade vehicles under the supervision of concerned district authorities and officials of the State Agriculture Department.
Read: Locust attack: Centre to buy sprayers from UK, use helicopters, drones to spray pesticides
These drones have a battery back-up of 15 minutes, he said adding that they used the machine for about an hour to disperse the locusts. He said that they will engage at least 30 drones to control locust attack as the trial was successful.
Earlier, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had stated that two firms have been finalised through tender for the use of drones for spraying pesticides.
However, locals said that there was no major financial loss of crops. Districts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana are worst-hit. Affected states are in contact with the Central govt and preventive measures have been issued to the farmers.
Earlier, the Union Agriculture Ministry had said that 15 sprayers will be procured from the UK and locust control operations are continuously monitored. Locust has been controlled in an area of about 50,468 hectares in 334 locations in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. (With inputs from agencies)
