Drone-Based Seed Sowing in Waterlogged Paddy Fields

In a significant agricultural innovation, Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has successfully demonstrated drone-assisted seed sowing in the waterlogged Pokkali paddy fields of Kumbalangi, with support from the World Bank. This breakthrough addresses long-standing challenges of mud and waterlogging in Kerala’s coastal paddy cultivation zones.

Key Highlights of the Drone Sowing Initiative:

Innovation in Action:

• A drone carrying up to 10 kg of germinated seeds was used to sow in saturated Pokkali fields.
• Trial was conducted jointly by KAU, Kerala State Agriculture Department, and Fuselage Innovation, a startup incubated under KAU’s Agri-Business Incubation Programme.

Operational Efficiency:

• One acre sown in 20–25 minutes, compared to labor-intensive traditional methods.
• Uniform seed distribution improves crop establishment and yield potential.
• Seed savings of up to 10 kg per acre through precision sowing.

Use of Germinated Seeds:

• Germinated (sprouted) seeds were found optimal for aerial sowing, improving anchorage in marshy terrain and boosting early growth.

Significance

Relief for Farmers:

• Reduces manual labour burden, especially in hard-to-reach, waterlogged fields such as those in Pokkali and Kuttanad.

Technological Leap for Sustainable Rice Farming:

• Encourages precision agriculture and use of emerging technologies to support resilient farming in challenging agro-climatic conditions.

Private Sector Innovation:

• Fuselage Innovation, led by founder Devan Chandrasekharan, highlights how agritech startups can deliver contextual solutions for traditional farming problems.

BL