Executive Summary:
The "Namo Drone Didi" scheme, a Central Sector Scheme, aims to provide drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) to promote advanced agricultural technology, improve crop yield, reduce operational costs, and empower SHGs as drone service providers. The scheme, with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores from 2023-24 to 2025-26, provides financial assistance, drone packages, and training to selected women SHGs. Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) have already distributed 1094 drones in 2023-24.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Scheme Overview:**
* Namo Drone Didi is a Central Sector Scheme.
* The scheme has a financial outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26.
* **Objectives:**
* Promote advanced technology in agriculture.
* Improve efficiency and enhance crop yield.
* Reduce operational costs.
* Empower SHGs as drone service providers.
* Increase SHG income and provide livelihood support.
* **Financial Assistance:**
* Central Financial Assistance (CFA) covers 80% of the drone package cost, up to a maximum of Rs. 8.00 lakhs to selected women SHGs.
* **Drone Package Details:**
* Includes a basic drone with spray assembly, carrying case, standard battery set, downward-facing camera, dual-channel fast battery charger, anemometer, pH meter, and 1-year onsite warranty.
* Additional items: 4 spare battery sets, spare propeller sets, nozzle set, dual channel fast battery charger, battery charger hub, 1-year comprehensive insurance, 2-year annual maintenance contract, and applicable GST.
* **Training:**
* 15 days training for one SHG member.
* 5 days training for another member/family member.
* **Implementation:**
* Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) distributed 1094 drones in 2023-24.
* 500 drones distributed under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme for rental services of Nano fertilizers spraying.
* 47 and 89 drones distributed in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, respectively, by LFCs.
* **Integration with Other Schemes:**
* Targets SHGs promoted under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
* SHGs can access loans from Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) with 3% interest subvention.
* Financial assistance for multi-utility machines provided under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) for drone transport.
* **Coordination and Monitoring:**
* Empowered Committee (EC) consists of Secretaries from various departments (Agriculture, Rural Development, Fertilizers, Civil Aviation, Women and Child Development) with powers to decide/modify scheme design, provide overall direction, and monitor progress.
* Implementation Monitoring Committee with members from line Departments/Ministries ensures effective planning, implementation, and monitoring.
* State-level committees responsible for cluster selection, SHG selection, training, drone usage assessment, and business support.
Impact Analysis:
* **Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs):**
* *Impact:* Increased income opportunities, empowerment through technology, access to modern agricultural practices, and diversified activities.
* *Action Required:* Participate in training, utilize drones for agricultural services, manage drone rentals, and coordinate with LFCs and pesticide companies.
* **Farmers:**
* *Impact:* Access to drone services for spraying fertilizers and pesticides, potentially increasing efficiency and productivity in farming.
* *Action Required:* Utilize drone rental services offered by SHGs for improved agricultural practices.
* **Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs):**
* *Impact:* Opportunity to promote Nano fertilizers through drone application, contribute to agricultural modernization, and fulfill corporate social responsibility.
* *Action Required:* Distribute drones to SHGs, provide support and coordination for drone usage, and participate in state-level committees.
* **Government (Agriculture, Rural Development, Fertilizers, etc.):**
* *Impact:* Improved agricultural productivity, rural livelihoods, and efficient resource utilization through technology adoption.
* *Action Required:* Implement and monitor the scheme, participate in Empowered and Implementation Monitoring Committees, and ensure coordination between various departments.
Key Entities Referenced
Namo Drone Didi: A Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) to promote technology in agriculture.
Women Self Help Groups: Target beneficiaries of the Namo Drone Didi scheme, aimed at empowering them as drone service providers.
Madhya Pradesh: One of the states mentioned where Lead Fertilizer Companies distributed drones to Women Self Help Groups.
Maharashtra: One of the states mentioned where Lead Fertilizer Companies distributed drones to Women Self Help Groups.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission: A national program under which the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) targeted by the Namo Drone Didi scheme are promoted.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: A government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers welfare.
Lead Fertilizer Companies: Companies that have distributed drones to SHGs using their internal resources.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: A fund from which SHGs can access loans with 3 percent interest subvention.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3804
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12TH AUGUST, 2025
IMPLEMENTATION OF NAMO DRONE DIDI SCHEME
3804. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:
SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR SONWANE:
SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:
SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR:
SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the salient features of "Namo Drone Didi" and the policy of the Government on it;
(b) the number of women self-help-groups who have Drones under the "Namo Drone Didi"
scheme, especially in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra;
(c) the current numbers thereof, State-wise and district-wise, particularly Shirdi-
Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency and aspirational districts;
(d) whether "Namo Drone Didi" is proposed to be integrated with other relevant schemes to
maximize its impact on rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity;
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(f) whether coordination has been made among the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers
Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development and Department of Fertilizers for effective
implementation of the said scheme;
(g) if so, the details thereof; and
(h) the increase in average income likely to occur as a result of the said integration?
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) to (c): 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. The major objectives of the scheme is to promote
advance technology in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhanced crop yield & reduced
cost of operation and to empower SHGs as drone service providers for increasing their
income and providing livelihood support to them. Under this scheme, Central Financial
Assistance (CFA) @ 80% of the cost of drone package up to a maximum of Rs. 8.00 lakhs
is provided to the selected women SHGs. The drones are provided as a package, which
include basic drone with spray assembly for spraying liquid fertilizers and pesticides, Drone
carrying box, standard battery set, downward facing camera, dual-channel fast battery
charger, battery charger hub, anemometer, pH meter and 1 year onsite warranty on all
items. The package also includes 04 spare battery sets, one spare propeller set (each set
contains 6 propellers), nozzle set, dual channel fast battery charger, battery charger hub,one year comprehensive insurance, 2 years annual maintenance contract and applicable
GST. 15 days training for one of the members of SHGs and 5 days training to other
member/family member of SHGs is provided as a part of drone package.
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, 500 drones have
been distributed under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme for providing rental services to farmers
for spraying Nano fertilizers. As per the information provided by the State Governments of
Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, 47 and 89 drones respectively have been distributed by
the LFCs in the State of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The district-wise details of the
Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh States are placed at Annexure-I and Annexure-II,
respectively.
(d) & (e): The Namo Drone Didi Scheme specifically targets SHGs promoted under
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). SHGs
can access loans from Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) with 3 percent interest
subvention. Financial assistance for the purchase of multi-utility machines is provided under
Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), which are also used for drone
transport.
(f) & (g): The Empowered Committee (EC) of the scheme consist of Secretaries of the
Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Department of Rural Development
(DoRD), Department of Fertilizers (DoF), Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Ministry of
Women and Child Development (MoW&CD), which have all the powers to decide/modify
scheme design during course of scheme implementation. EC is also the formulation body
giving overall direction and guidance to scheme, monitor and review its progress and
performance. The Implementation & Monitoring Committee with the members from all these
line Departments/Ministries is responsible for effective planning, implementation and
monitoring of the scheme and provide overall advice and guidance to all technical matters
related to the implementation of the scheme. The Committee at State level with members
drawn from Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Engineering of the State, Rural
Development, State Mission Directorate of DAY-NRLM, State Cooperative Department,
Lead Banks/ National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD),
representatives of LFC nominated for the state, Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR)/State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) is responsible
for selection of appropriate clusters for drone usage, selection of the progressive women
SHGs under DAY - NRLM in the States in the identified clusters for providing drones,
selection of members of the women SHGs for drone pilot and drone assistant training,
assessment of district-wise drone usage, identification of existing gap, availability and future
requirements of drone usage, providing/ensuring business to selected Women SHGs in
coordination with the LFCs and Pesticide companies etc.
(h): The study conducted by Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation Centre
(ADRTC), Bangalore indicate that the drones provided by the LFCs to the SHGs 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.Annexure-I
District-wise number of women SHGs in Maharashtra who have been provided drones by
the Lead Fertilizer Companies
S. Name of District of No. of SHGs provided with the Drones
No. Maharashtra State by LFCs
1. Ahmednagar 3
2. Akola 2
3. Amravati 1
4. Beed 3
5. Bhandara 1
6. Buldhana 1
7. Chandrapur 1
8. Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar 1
9. Dharashiv 1
10. Dhule 2
11. Gadchiroli 1
12. Hingoli 1
13. Jalgaon 1
14. Jalna 2
15. Kolhapur 2
16. Latur 1
17. Nandurbar 1
18. Nashik 3
19. Osmanabad 2
20. Palghar 1
21. Parbhani 2
22. Pune 3
23. Raigad 1
24. Sangli 3
25. Satara 3
26. Sindhudurg 1
27. Solapur 1
28. Wardha 1
29. Washim 1
Total 47Annexure-II
District-wise number of women SHGs in Madhya Pradesh who have been provided drones
by the Lead Fertilizer Companies
S. Name of District of Madhya No. of SHGs provided with the Drones
No. Pradesh State by LFCs
1. Agar malwa 2
2. Alirajpur 1
3. Balaghat 1
4. Barwani 1
5. Betul 1
6. Bhind 2
7. Bhopal 1
8. Burhanpur 1
9. Chattarpur 1
10. Chhindwara 2
11. Damoh 1
12. Datia 2
13. Dewas 2
14. Dhar 2
15. Dindori 1
16. Guna 1
17. Gwalior 6
18. Indore 2
19. Jabalpur 1
20. Jhabua 1
21. Katni 3
22. Khandwa 4
23. Mandla 3
24. Morena 3
25. Narmadapuram 2
26. Narsinghpur 1
27. Panna 1
28. Raisen 7
29. Rajgarh 3
30. Ratlam 4
31. Rewa 2
32. Sagar 5
33. Satna 5
34. Sehore 3
35. Seoni 2
36. Shajapur 1
37. Sheopur 1
38. Shivpuri 1
39. Sidhi 1
40. Ujjain 3
41. Vidisha 2
Total 89
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