Aerial seeding

The Haryana Forest Department has started aerial seeding across the state on a pilot basis.
It is designed by IIT-Kanpur backed start-up.
A technique of plantation in which seed balls containing seeds along with the coating containing a mixture of clay, compost and other components are sprayed on the ground using aerial devices like drones, helicopters or planes.
These seed balls will sprout when there is enough rain. The coating provides nutrients for initial growth.
The expected benefits will be Initiation of plantation in difficult or inaccessible areas like Aravallis in Haryana.
Eliminating the need for ploughing and digging holes in the soil.
The clay shell along with other items in the mixture protects the seed against birds, ants and rats.