Directorate of Agriculture in collaboration with Indian farmers Fertiliser Cooperative limited lunched the use of “Nano Urea” and “DAP” (Liquid) for the Kharif and Rabi season Crops with an aim to provide healthier Nutrients content and to replace the use of granular urea in the State of Goa today at Ela farm Old Goa. On the occasion the demonstration on use of drone for application of Nano Urea was also held.
Speaking on the occasion Director of Agriculture Shri Nevil Alphoso asserting that the use of Nano Urea will bring the paradigm shift in the agriculture sector in Goa informed that to make the awareness regarding the Nano Urea among farmers community the Directorate of Agriculture will organise almost 100 to 150 demonstration sessions on how to apply Nano Urea using the Drone system during Kharif and Rabi seasons in every Panchayat across the State and will disseminate the information regarding how to use Nano Urea and its benefits and cost saving to farmers. He said application of Nano fertilisers has more benefits as it effectively fulfils crop nitrogen requirement and increases crop productivity.
Speaking further Shri Nevil Alphonso said that use of Drone in Agriculture sector will help farmers to save cost of labour and time. He further informed that Directorate of Agriculture is providing 50% Subsidy to purchase the Agricultural Drone. The Department will also provide Agriculture Drones on hire basis to farmers through service provider.
Vijay Bonge, Field officer IFFCO, explaining the Nano Urea technology, said, in Nano urea the size of the particle of the Nitrogen is 30 to 50 mm. Nano urea’s surface area is 10,000 times more than prilled urea, so its efficiency is high. The amount of nitrogen is 4% on a weight basis in Nano Urea he said and added saying that when Nano urea @ 2-4 ML per liter of water sprayed on leaves , the Nano urea is absorbed in the crop through Stomata & stored in the cell Vacuole and supplied to the crop as per the requirement of the crop. Due to this the efficiency of Nano urea goes up to 86 % unlike 30% to 40% in prilled urea, he remarked.
He said the Nano Urea has a lot of benefits as it leads to reduction in urea application without affecting crop yield. One bottle of Nano Urea (500 mL volume) is equivalent to one bag (45 kg) of urea. It also increases crop productivity and reduction in input cost leads to increase in farmers’ income etc.
Shri. Ramkumar Vice President of M/s Garuda Aerospace shared the Knowledge regarding the use of Drone in Agriculture. He further announced that Garuda Aerospace has taken an initiative to start Drone Yatra which aims to create awareness and leverage the potential of drone technology in the agriculture sector. He also informed about how to obtain a Drone licence and other available subsidies to purchase agricultural Drone.
Dr. Suresh Kukalienkar, Principal of Goa College of Agriculture, Shri Promod Joshi, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Crops), Shri. Shivdas Goankar Assistant Director of Agriculture (Farmers training), Shri Prasanna Kumar, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Engineering), Agriculture Officer Shri. Satyawan. Desai was present on the launching ceremony occasion
