: In a pioneering step toward sustainable and tech-driven agriculture, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), NECTAR Shillong, Akin Analytic, Smart Village Movement (SVM), and Agri-PMU, conducted a drone-based biofungicide spraying trial to manage bud rot disease in arecanut plantations at Chikasingre and Teksragre villages in West Garo Hills on November 11 and 12.

Bud rot, caused by Phytophthora species, has long been one of the most devastating diseases affecting arecanut cultivation, especially in the humid regions of Garo Hills. The disease spreads rapidly during the monsoon, leading to severe yield losses. Traditional spraying methods are often labour-intensive, time-c

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