PATNA, 2 July 2025: Bihar government has launched an ambitious incentive program to accelerate the adoption of drone technology in agriculture, pledging financial and training support to farmers and rural organizations.
Under the Popularisation of Aerial Spray of Pesticide and Liquid Fertiliser by Drone scheme, eligible beneficiaries will receive subsidies of up to INR 3.65 lakh for the purchase of agricultural drones.
Additionally, the program will cover 100% of the cost of drone pilot training for selected farmers, aimed at ensuring safe, effective use of drone-based spraying technology.
“The primary objective is to integrate drones into daily farm operations, bringing down input costs while raising productivity and improving the quality of crops,” said an official with the Department of Agriculture.
Eligible participants include individual farmers, agri-machinery banks, SHGs, licensed pesticide dealers, agricultural clinic operators, and Farmer Producer Organizations. Applications will be accepted via the Online Farm Mechanisation Application System (OFMAS) portal.
Subsidies will cover 60% of the drone’s purchase price or up to INR 3.65 lakh, whichever is lower, with the applicant responsible for the remaining amount. The scheme will be implemented across 101 sub-divisions of Bihar, supported by a total budget outlay of INR 368.65 lakh.
As part of its commitment to responsible technology deployment, the government will also provide free drone pilot training — worth INR 35,000 per participant — to 101 selected farmers, with a total budget of INR 35.35 lakh for the training element.
Officials believe that promoting drones will empower farmers with modern tools, improve spraying precision, and foster more sustainable practices by reducing manual labor. “This is about preparing Bihar’s farmers for the future of precision agriculture,” the spokesperson added.
By making aerial spraying more efficient and targeted, the program is expected to boost yields, improve farm economics, and advance the state’s broader smart agriculture agenda.
