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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3813
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11TH AUGUST, 2026
HIGH VALUE CROPS AND NAMO DRONE DIDI SCHEME
3813. DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the policy strategies devised to increase the productivity yields of Indian high-value
agriculture crops such as cashew, cocoa, and nuts to transform them into global premium
brands;
(b) the deployment progress of the Namo Drone Didi scheme, including the number of
agricultural drones successfully distributed to women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the
country, State-wise; and
(c) the specific number of women SHGs trained under the Namo Drone Didi scheme in
Tamil Nadu, and the funds provided to expand the Tamil Nadu Millet Mission to boost
climate-resilient farming?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has been implementing the Mission
for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) since 2014–15 to promote the area,
production and productivity of high-value horticultural crops including cashew, cocoa and
nut crops. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided for key interventions such as
establishment & upgradation of nurseries, area expansion with normal & high density,
rejuvenation of senile orchards, adoption of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) &
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and post- harvest management including processing,
marketing and branding.
Further, the MIDH Operational Guidelines were revised in 2025, with enhanced cost
norms and expanded support for horticultural crops, including cashew, cocoa and nuts to
encourage area expansion, improve productivity and promote the adoption of improved
production technologies. Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Directorate of CashewResearch (ICAR–DCR), Puttur is engaged in development of cashew production
technologies through improved varieties, pest and disease management and high-density
planting. Some of the varieties developed by ICAR-DCR, Puttur are Nethra Ganga, Nethra
Jumbo-1, Nethra Ubhaya and Nethra Jumbo-2. ICAR–Central Plantation Crops Research
Institute (ICAR–CPCRI), Kasaragod enhances the productivity, quality, and utilization of
cocoa through varietal development, technology transfer and capacity building programme.
Some of the varieties developed by this institute are cocoa Hybrids-(VTLCH 1 to 5) and
selections (VTLCS 1 and 2). ICAR–Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (ICAR–CITH)
also promotes climate-resilient and sustainable production of temperate nuts through quality
planting materials, improved technologies and value chain development.
(b): Under Namo Drone Didi Scheme, Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) were mandated
to procure the first batch of drones for distribution to selected Self Help Groups (SHGs). As
per information received from the Department of Fertilizers, 1,094 drones have been
distributed to Drone Didis of SHGs during 2023-24. All beneficiaries have undergone
training through Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) authorized Remote Pilot Training
Organizations (RPTOs). The State wise details of SHGs who have been provided drones
under Namo Drone Didi Yojana are given at Annexure.
(c): 44 Namo Drone Didis have been trained in the State of Tamil Nadu, and drones have
been distributed to all 44 trained beneficiaries.
The Tamil Nadu Millet Mission is a State Government programme for promotion of
millet cultivation in the State. As reported by State of Tamil Nadu, 26 potential districts have
been grouped into two special zones for effective implementation of millet development
activities. Mission aims to increase area, production and productivity of millets. From 2023–
24 to 2025–26, expenditure of ₹164.73 crore has been incurred against approved outlay of
₹178.49 crore. The Mission has benefited about 10.17 lakh farmers through interventions
aimed at promoting millet cultivation and strengthening climate-resilient agricultural
practices.
For 2026-27, Rs. 4394.197 lakhs (Central share+ State share) have been approved
under National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM)-Nutri-cereals (Shree Anna) for
the state of Tamil Nadu.Annexure
State wise details of SHGs who have been provided drones under Namo Drone Didi
Yojana
Sr. No State Name No. of SHGs provided with the
Drones
1. Andhra Pradesh 108
2. Assam 28
3. Bihar 32
4. Chhattisgarh 15
5. Goa 1
6. Gujarat 58
7. Haryana 102
8. Himachal Pradesh 4
9. J&K 2
10. Jharkhand 15
11. Karnataka 145
12. Kerala 51
13. Madhya Pradesh 89
14. Maharashtra 60
15. Odisha 16
16. Punjab 57
17. Rajasthan 40
18 Tamil Nadu 44
19. Telangana 81
20. Uttar Pradesh 128
21. Uttarakhand 3
22. West Bengal 15
Total 1094
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