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O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. -1607
TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/02/2026
IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPACT OF NAMO DRONE DIDI SCHEME IN UTTAR
PRADESH
1607. SMT. DARSHANA SINGH:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) the number of women Self Help Groups (SHGs) to whom drones have been provided so far
under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme in Uttar Pradesh;
(b) whether these groups have been imparted training in drone operations and agricultural
services, if so, the details thereof, district-wise;
(c) whether the Scheme has resulted in a reduction in farmers’ costs and an increase in the
income of women; and
(d) the steps being taken to expand the Scheme in Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) to (d): The Government has approved ‘Namo Drone Didi’ as Central Sector Scheme for
providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores for the
period from 2023-24 to 2025-26. As per the information provided by the Department of Fertilizers,
Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) have distributed 1094 drones to drone didis of SHGs in 2023-24
using their internal resources. Out of these 1094 drones distributed, 500 drones have been distributed
under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme. As per the information provided by the Department of
Fertilizers (DoF), 128 numbers of drones have been supplied to the SHGs of the State of Uttar
Pradesh. The drone didis provided with the drones have been trained as drone pilots at various
Remote Pilot Training Organizations (RPTOs) authorized by Directorate General of Civil Aviation
(DGCA). The district-wise information of drone didis in the State of Uttar Pradesh is indicated in
Annexure-I.
Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation Centre (ADRTC), Bangalore have
carried out a study on economics and business viability of drone operations on these 500 drones
provided by LFCs under Namo Drone Didi scheme. The study indicates that the SHGs earlier were
primarily engaged in agriculture and allied activities and the drones provided to them has expanded
their niche to modern agricultural practices through drone technology, enhancing their efficiency and
productivity. Overall, the adoption of drones has diversified SHG activities, improved agricultural
practices, and increased income opportunities for women in rural communities. As per the
information furnished by the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM), the average
additional annual income of Rs. 60,000 is generated by the drone didis in the State of Uttar Pradesh.Annexure-I
District-wise number of women SHGs in Uttar Pradesh who have been provided
drones by the Lead Fertilizer Companies
S. Name of District No. of SHGs provided with No. of members of Women
No. the Drones by LFCs SHGs trained as drone pilot
1. Agra 4 4
2. Aligarh 2 2
3. Ambedkar Nagar 2 2
4. Amethi 4 4
5. Ayodhya 6 6
6. Badaun 1 1
7. Balia 2 2
8. Barabanki 5 5
9. Bareili 4 4
10. Basti 1 1
11. Bijnore 1 1
12. Bulandshahr 2 2
13. Chandauli 1 1
14. Deoria 2 2
15. Etah 2 2
16. Gonda 2 2
17. Gorakhpur 8 8
18. Hardoi 3 3
19. Hathras 1 1
20. Jalaun 1 1
21. Jaunpur 5 5
22. Jhansi 3 3
23. Kanpur Nagar 1 1
24. Kushinagar 2 2
25. Lakhimpur Kheri 3 3
26. Maharajganj 2 2
27. Mahoba 1 1
28. Mainpuri 4 4
29. Meerut 3 3
30. Moradabad 4 4
31. Pratapgarh 3 3
32. Prayagraj 16 16
33. Raebareli 3 3
34. Sant Kabeer Nagar 2 2
35. Shahjahanpur 4 4
36. Sitapur 4 4
37. Sonbhadra 1 1
38. Sultanpur 2 2
39. Unnao 2 2
40. Varanasi 9 9
Total 128 128
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