New Delhi, Jun 23 (IANS): The trials of vehicle mounted ULV sprayer, developed indigenously under the Make in India initiative for locust control, have been successfully conducted in Ajmer and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan, and approvals required for its commercial launch are underway, the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, this is a major breakthrough as this will end the dependence on importing a very important equipment for locust control.

The government had allowed to place orders to buy 60 micronair sprayers from M/s Micron Sprayers of the UK, the sole supplier of vehicle mounted sprayers, in February, of which 15 sprayers have been received till date and the supply of the remaining 45 units is expected within a month, said the ministry.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has appreciated India for becoming the first country in the world to control desert locust with drones, said the statement.

On the recommendation of the Empowered Committee, work order for the engagement of drones to five companies (5 drones each) has been issued and all five drone service providers have started work in Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Nagore and Phalodi districts of Rajasthan with the deployment of 12 drones till date in phased manner, said the ministry.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, the experience of using drones has been more than satisfactory in inaccessible areas and for effective control over tall trees.