Empowering farmers and women with advanced tech for agriculture and surveillance, Haryana’s drone push soars as DRIISHYA expands its fleet and training hubs.
Haryana’s state-backed initiative, the Drone Imaging and Information Service of Haryana Ltd (DRIISHYA), based in Karnal, is set to expand its drone fleet by adding 13 new units to its existing 40. As per reports, this will address the rising demand for drone-based training and technical services throughout the state.
DRIISHYA uses its drone fleet for various applications, such as training, surveillance, mapping, law enforcement, monitoring mining operations, and assessing crop yields. Phool Kumar, the Chief Operating Officer, confirmed that the process for acquiring the new drones is already in progress. A tender has been issued, with the procurement expected to move forward soon.
Kumar explained that the additional drones would improve the organisation’s operational capacity, enabling faster and more comprehensive services. This will allow DRIISHYA to serve a wider region more effectively.
In terms of training, DRIISHYA offers certification programmes lasting between seven and ten days, focused on modern agricultural practices. To date, around 250 farmers have been trained to use drones for tasks such as spraying nano-urea and fertilisers, which helps reduce input costs and boost productivity. Kumar mentioned that more farmers will soon undergo training.
As part of its support for the Central Government’s “Drone Didi” initiative, which aims to empower women through drone technology, DRIISHYA has applied for approval to establish three new training grounds at Karnal airport. The organisation currently operates a single training site.
Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are scheduled to conduct an inspection of the new grounds next week. Once operational, the additional training facilities will increase the capacity to train up to 100 candidates per month, each receiving over six hours of practical flying experience.
