New Delhi, Feb. 6 -- The government is working on a plan to make 10 drones available to each of India's 640,000 villages for spraying fertilizers, two people aware of the matter said.

This will reduce input costs, improve efficiency and help apply fertilizers more precisely, they said, in the backdrop of the Union budget for 2025-26 allocating Rs.1.67 trillion for fertilizer subsidies.

The integration of drone technology in agriculture by the department of fertilizers aims to boost productivity while addressing labour shortages and minimize the environmental impact.

Targeted spraying can help reduce fertilizer wastage and improve soil health.

"As per the proposed plan, drones will be distributed to villages through panchayats, allowin...