Patna: Bihar will establish 480 Farmer Drone Custom Hiring Centres during the financial year 2026-27 to expand the use of modern technology in agriculture and make drone-based services more accessible to farmers.
The initiative comes under the Fourth Agricultural Road Map and is aimed at helping farmers access drone services without having to purchase costly equipment themselves. It will also create new self-employment opportunities, particularly for agriculture graduates in rural areas.
Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said promoting modern technology in agriculture remains a priority of the state government. The new centres will allow farmers to hire drones according to their needs and use them for activities such as spraying pesticides, nutrients and other agricultural inputs.
₹24 Crore Investment for Drone Centres
Each Farmer Drone Custom Hiring Centre will have a project cost of ₹10 lakh. The government has also provided financial support for applicants looking to establish these centres.
Agriculture graduate applicants will receive a 50 per cent subsidy, up to ₹5 lakh, while applicants with non-agriculture graduation degrees will be eligible for a 40 per cent subsidy, up to ₹4 lakh.
The state will spend a total of ₹24 crore on setting up the 480 centres. District-wise targets will be determined based on the number of blocks in each district.
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Farmers Can Hire Drones Instead of Buying Them
Agricultural drones can help complete several farm operations in less time. Their use for spraying pesticides, nutrients and other inputs can allow farmers to cover larger areas more efficiently.
The custom hiring model is expected to be particularly useful for small and marginal farmers, who may find it difficult to invest in expensive drone equipment.
Instead of purchasing and maintaining a drone, farmers will be able to access the required service from a nearby centre whenever needed. This can reduce the financial burden on farmers while bringing modern agricultural technology closer to villages.
Focus on Saving Time and Labour
According to Sinha, wider access to drone technology can help reduce the time and labour required for certain agricultural operations.
The custom hiring system will allow farmers to use technology as a service rather than making a large upfront investment. This approach can also encourage more efficient use of agricultural machinery and modern equipment across rural areas.
The initiative is therefore aimed not only at introducing drones into farming but also at creating a service network through which farmers can access the technology according to their requirements.
New Opportunities for Agriculture Graduates
The programme also has an employment dimension. The government is encouraging agriculture graduates and rural youth to establish enterprises offering drone-based agricultural services.
Young people trained in drone technology can provide services to farmers while developing their own sources of employment and income. This could create a new rural business model linked to agricultural mechanisation and emerging technology.
Sinha said such initiatives can increase youth participation in agriculture and connect them with modern technologies. The centres are expected to support both farmers seeking affordable services and young entrepreneurs looking for opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Push for Technology-Driven Agriculture
The establishment of 480 Farmer Drone Custom Hiring Centres marks another step towards expanding agricultural mechanisation in Bihar.
By making drone services available through local centres, the state aims to take modern farming technology closer to farmers while reducing the need for individual investment in expensive equipment.
The initiative combines agricultural modernisation with rural entrepreneurship, with the broader objective of making farming more efficient, technology-enabled and profitable while opening new avenues of self-employment for young people.
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