Dhamtari, July 19. The PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Society)-based drone agriculture service model developed in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh has distinguished itself at the national level. At the 17th Foundation Day celebrations of the Common Service Center (CSC) e-Governance Services India Limited held in Kolkata, Dhamtari's innovative model was praised as an excellent example of effectively expanding technology-based agricultural services in rural areas and providing modern facilities to farmers.

Under the program, in the agriculture panel discussion organized on the topic of empowerment of PACS for availability of better agricultural services, District Panchayat CEO Jayant Nahata (IAS) gave a detailed presentation of this model of Dhamtari and its future action plan. Many experts of the country related to cooperation, agriculture, drone technology and agri-business participated in the discussion and praised the Dhamtari model. Instead of limiting the PACS committees of the district to just cooperative institutions, they are being developed as rural one-stop agriculture service centers, where modern technology, digital services and benefits of various government schemes will be made available to the farmers at one place.

He informed that liquid fertilizers are currently being sprayed using drone technology through 10 PACS committees in the district. This saves farmers time and labor and ensures scientific and uniform distribution of fertilizers.

The Zilla Panchayat CEO stated that this will increase the use of modern technology in farming, reduce costs, and increase production capacity. In the next phase, agricultural mechanization, drone services, crop surveys, farmer registration, digital services, banking and financial facilities, agricultural advisory, and various farmer-friendly schemes will be integrated through PACS committees, eliminating the need for farmers to visit multiple offices and providing quality services at the village level. During the panel discussion, experts shared their views on modern agricultural practices, the increasing use of drone technology, providing services to farmers through digital platforms, and the role of cooperatives. They stated that drone technology is paving the way for sustainable and profitable farming by increasing agricultural productivity and promoting efficient use of water, fertilizer, and labor. CSC Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) who have achieved outstanding work were also honored at the event.

It is noteworthy that last month, Dhamtari district achieved a historic milestone in the use of modern technology in agriculture by launching drone sprayer facilities at 10 Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies (PACS). This made Dhamtari the first district in the country to provide drone-based agricultural services to farmers through cooperative societies. During a program held at Loharsi Societies, trained drone pilots demonstrated precise spraying of fertilizers and pesticides, demonstrating the benefits of time savings, cost reductions, and improved agricultural management. Drone services are being provided to farmers as needed through the Bodra, Loharsi, Donar, Achota, Kharenga, Bhothidih, Kundel, Gadadih, Jugdehi, and Kareli Societies in the district. The state and central governments are continuously striving to promote agricultural modernization and connect farmers with new technologies.