DGCA Approves PJTSAU Drone Academy’s Drone Pilot Training

The Drone Academy at Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) has received approval from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the integration of drone technology in agriculture.

Teaming up with Marut Dronetech Private Ltd, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) is gearing up to launch a Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) slated to operate for a decade. The primary objective of this collaborative venture is to deliver comprehensive training in agri-drone piloting, which includes farmers, diploma holders, agri-graduates, and unemployed rural youth.

PJTSAU has been actively involved in developing crop-specific Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) for drone-based pesticide spraying, focusing on seven major crops in Telangana: paddy, cotton, pigeon pea, groundnut, soybean, sesame, and safflower. The university submitted detailed information on these SOPs to the National Committee in the Ministry of Agriculture, showcasing its expertise in the agricultural domain.

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DGCA highlights PJTSAU's prowess in drone technology and its dedicated efforts to elevate agricultural methods. The imminent launch of the Drone Academy, nestled in the historic SABM building on campus, provides an innovative six-day agri-drone pilot training course.

Encompassing critical elements like drone navigation, operational safety, risk evaluation, adherence to DGCA protocols, and crop-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the curriculum holds an essential position in advancing agricultural practices.

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This initiative is set to establish the first agriculture domain-specific drone pilot training institute, addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in the application of drones in agriculture and allied fields. The academy's launch is expected to have far-reaching impacts, including the creation of employment opportunities through the establishment of customer hiring centers (CHCs) by agri-graduates, farmer-producer organizations (FPOs), women's self-help groups, and rural entrepreneurs.

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