IIT Kanpur, in collaboration with the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), inaugurated an International Training Programme titled “Agriculture Practice Using Drones: Plan, Design, Build, and Fly,”. This training program covers a wide range of topics such as drone technology, agricultural applications, data collection and analysis, and practical training on building and flying drones.

With 13 international delegates from various African and Asian countries, the program was officially inaugurated by Prof. Bushra Ateeq, Dean of International Relations. The event also featured Prof. Bishakh Bhattacharya, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, as the Guest of Honor.

The program's coordinators, Prof. J. Ramkumar, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Design, and Dr. Amandeep Singh Oberoi from the SREO Imagineering Laboratory at IIT Kanpur, were present to oversee the proceedings. Additionally, the event welcomed attendees from a variety of African nations, contributing to a vibrant, cross-cultural exchange of ideas and knowledge. Prof. Bushra Ateeq gave a thought-provoking speech during the inaugural session, emphasizing the transformative potential of drones in agriculture. 

The eight-day course is an excellent opportunity for delegates to engage with a comprehensive overview of the many ways drones can be applied in agriculture, combining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The training will undergo various applications, including crop monitoring, pest control, and soil analysis, along with practical sessions focused on the planning, design, construction, and operation of drones specifically for precision agriculture.