In a significant move towards advancing the country's agricultural sector, the Agriculture Sector Skills Council (ASSC), a private sector professional body, has generously provided 100 cutting-edge agricultural drones to the Department of Agrarian Development. The handover ceremony took place at the International Container Terminal of the Colombo Port on Wednesday (17).
The drones, valued at 250 million rupees, are poised to revolutionize farming practices. Capable of applying fertilizers and pesticides to crops such as paddy, maize, and chillies, the ASSC emphasized the potential for increased efficiency in agricultural operations. The council also pledged to offer comprehensive training programs on drone operation.
Highlighting the capabilities of the drones, the ASSC stated, "One drone can apply insecticides or herbicides on 16 hectares per hour. Also, this technology can be used for paddy sowing." Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industry, Mahinda Amaraweera, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, announcing plans to distribute the drones to agricultural service centers across various districts, including Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Vavuniya, and Ampara.
The donation is anticipated to play a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural productivity and fostering technological advancement within the nation's farming community.
