The “National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology” (NMAET) is one program that tries to encourage the adoption of precision farming technologies in India. The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, is responsible for implementing the National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology.
The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization’s (SMAM) primary goals and interventions typically consist of:
Financial Support: SMAM offers farmers financial support so they can use precision agricultural technologies. This covers assistance with the purchase or rental of machinery and equipment for precision farming, including GPS-based guidance systems, remote sensing tools, drones, equipment for variable rate technology (VRT), automated irrigation systems, and other instruments.
Building Capacity: The plan places a strong emphasis on training courses and capacity building programs for farmers and other agricultural professionals. To advance awareness, knowledge, and abilities connected to precision farming practices, training sessions, workshops, demonstrations, and technology transfer activities are organized.
Demonstration & Technology Dissemination: To highlight the advantages of precision agricultural technology and promote their uptake by farmers, SMAM supports their demonstration at various places. Through educational initiatives, field days, and the creation of model farms, it also encourages the distribution of information and knowledge regarding precision farming technologies.
Research and Development: The program funds initiatives for precision farming technologies research and development. The development and validation of novel technologies, techniques, and practices in precision farming is encouraged through partnerships with research organizations, agricultural universities, and technology vendors.
