Comparative Performance of Drone Broadcasting and Conventional Sowing Methods in Rice under Kuttanad Wetland Ecosystem

Abstract

Rice is a major staple crop in India and an essential component of Kerala’s agriculture, particularly in the Kuttanad wetland ecosystem. However, rice cultivation in this region faces challenges such as flooding, salinity, soil acidity, and labour scarcity. To address these issues, on-farm trials were conducted during 2024-2025 in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts to evaluate the different sowing methods. The study compared manual broadcasting, drum seeding and drone-based seed broadcasting using a randomized block design. Results indicated that drum seeding recorded the highest growth parameters, yield attributes and grain yield across all locations. Drone broadcasting performed comparably and significantly outperformed manual broadcasting. In addition, drone sowing reduced seed rate, labour requirement and time required for field operations. The improved performance of drone technology is attributed to uniform seed distribution and reduced soil disturbance. The findings suggest that while drum seeding is the most productive method, drone broadcasting offers a promising, efficient and labour-saving alternative for sustainable rice cultivation