Dhamtari Becomes India’s First District to Provide Drone Sprayer Services to Farmers Through PACS Societies

Collector Abinash Mishra Launches Innovative Initiative to Promote Modern Farming

Raipur, June 2026 : In a significant step towards promoting modern agricultural practices and connecting farmers with advanced technologies, Dhamtari district in Chhattisgarh has achieved a historic milestone. Under the guidance of District Collector Abinash Mishra, drone sprayer services have been introduced in 10 Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies (PACS), making Dhamtari the first district in India to provide drone-based agricultural services to farmers through cooperative societies.

The ambitious initiative was formally launched at a programme held at the Loharsi Cooperative Society, where trained drone pilots from all 10 participating PACS societies demonstrated the operation of drone sprayers in the presence of farmers and local stakeholders.

During the demonstration, the benefits of drone technology were showcased, including precision spraying of fertilizers and pesticides, reduced operational costs, significant time savings, and improved farm management practices. The event highlighted how advanced technology can help farmers increase efficiency while reducing manual labour and resource wastage.

Speaking on the occasion, Collector Abinash Mishra described the initiative as a pioneering effort to bring modern agricultural technology directly to farmers through the cooperative network.

“This is an innovative attempt to make advanced farming technologies accessible to farmers through cooperative societies. Drone technology has the potential to bring revolutionary changes to agriculture. It will help farmers carry out farming operations more efficiently and at a lower cost,” he said.

He added that the district administration is committed to ensuring that every farmer in Dhamtari benefits from modern and scientific farming techniques, enabling them to enhance productivity and increase income. He noted that continuous efforts are being made to develop Dhamtari into a model district for agricultural innovation, and the drone initiative is an important milestone in that journey.

A unique feature of the programme is the integration of CSC e-Governance services with PACS societies. Under this arrangement, the societies are being strengthened as Common Service Centres (CSCs), enabling farmers to access not only drone-based agricultural services but also a range of digital and government services at a single location.

This approach is expected to expand the reach of technology-driven services in rural areas and transform cooperative societies into multifunctional service centres that cater to various needs of farmers and local communities.

The launch programme was attended by Janpad Panchayat member Sant Kumari Kiran Sahu, the Deputy Director of Agriculture, the Nodal Officer of the District Cooperative Central Bank, authorised officers of the societies, committee managers, CSC District Manager Vinay Giri, officials from various departments, and a large number of farmers.

The ten PACS societies linked with the drone sprayer initiative include Bodra, Loharsi, Donar, Achhota, Kharenga, Bhothidih, Kundel, Garadih, Jugdehi, and Kareli. Farmers associated with these societies will be able to avail drone services as per their requirements.

Agricultural experts believe that drone technology can significantly improve farm operations by enabling spraying over larger areas in a shorter period. The technology also ensures balanced and precise application of chemicals, reducing both costs and environmental impact. Since drones eliminate the need for farmers to physically enter fields during spraying operations, the risk of crop damage is also minimized.

Beyond improving agricultural productivity, the initiative is expected to promote farm mechanisation and create new opportunities for employment and skill development among rural youth. By introducing cutting-edge technology at the grassroots level, Dhamtari has set a new benchmark for innovation-driven agricultural development in India.