Andhra mulls use of drones to spray pesticides

Amaravati : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday asked officials to use drones to spray pesticides to protect the standing crops.

He gave the direction at a meeting to review the situation created by the dry spell.

Naidu said that dry spell mitigation is important and directed the officials to meet the demand to protect the standing crops.

He said officials should provide water for one wetting for dry crops using rain guns wherever necessary.

The Chief Minister said that the water availability in the state including in reservoirs, tanks and ground water stands at 645 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) and there was an increase of 161.80 tmcft of water this year when compared to last year.

He said a report should be prepared on the prevailing drought conditions in nearly 55 'mandals' (blocks) to be submitted to the Central government.

The Chief Minister asked the officials to come out with an action plan to use NREGS funds. He asked officials to complete the works by setting weekly targets.