Helicopters, drones adds to aerial spraying capacity of pesticides

In the ongoing locust control operations, between 11th April and 6th July 1,43,422 hectares of farm land was covered in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana by Locust Circle Offices (LCOs).

Respective state governments of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, Haryana and Bihar have also conducted control operations in 1,32,465 hectares of farm land till 6th July. Control operations were carried out at 22 places in the 7 districts of Barmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Ajmer, Sikar and Jaipur of Rajasthan State and 1 place each in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh and Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh by LCOs in the intervening night of 6th-7th July. 

The State Agriculture Department of Uttar Pradesh also carried out control operations at 3 places in Jhansi district and Madhya Pradesh State Agriculture Department at 1 place in Tikamgarh district at the same time. The use of a Bell helicopter in Rajasthan and the IAF deploying a MI-17 helicopter has increased aerial spraying capacity of pesticides. 5 companies with 15 drones are deployed at Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Nagaur and Phalodi in Rajasthan for spraying of pesticides on tall trees and in inaccessible areas.