NAMO DRONE DIDI SCHEME

GS 2: GOVERNANCE

The Namo Drone Didi scheme is a Central Sector initiative launched by the Government of India to empower women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing them with drone technology for agricultural services. With an allocated budget of ₹1,261 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26, the scheme aims to distribute 15,000 drones to selected women SHGs.

Implementation and Progress:

• 2023-24: Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) procured and distributed the first 500 drones to selected SHGs using their internal resources.
• 2024-25: The target is to distribute drones to 3,090 SHGs in the first phase.

Collaborating Departments:

• Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW)
• Department of Rural Development (DoRD)
• Department of Fertilizers (DoF)

These departments work together to ensure effective resource allocation and support for SHGs.

Selection and Training:

• Cluster Identification: State-level committees select appropriate clusters for drone usage and identify progressive women SHGs under DAY-NRLM within these clusters.
• Training: Each selected SHG member receives mandatory drone pilot training and additional instruction for agricultural applications, such as nutrient and pesticide spraying. Provisions are also made to train other members or family members of the SHGs as drone assistants.

Financial Support:

• Subsidy: Women SHGs receive substantial financial assistance, covering 80% of the drone and accessory costs, up to ₹8 lakh.
• Loan Facility: For the remaining 20% cost, SHGs can seek loans from the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) with a 3% interest subvention.

Objectives and Benefits:

• Economic Empowerment: The scheme is expected to generate an additional income of at least ₹1 lakh per year for each SHG, contributing to economic empowerment and sustainable livelihood generation.
• Agricultural Efficiency: Drones provided to SHGs are intended for rental services to farmers, enhancing the precision and efficiency of liquid fertilizer and pesticide application.

This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to integrating advanced technology in agriculture while promoting women’s participation and entrepreneurship in the sector.