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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5223
ANSWERED ON 24/03/2026
TARGET ACHIEVED UNDER NAMO DRONE DIDI SCHEME
5223. Shri Sasikanth Senthil:
Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Ministry has achieved the target of training women
from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the 'Namo Drone Didi'
scheme for agricultural services, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of drones currently operational under the
management of these women-led groups, State-wise;
(c) whether there is a provision for providing interest-free loans and
technical support for the maintenance and repair of these
drones in remote villages, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of the increase in average household income
reported by the participating SHGs since the inception of the
programme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. CHANDRA SEKHAR PEMMASANI)
(a) to (d): Government has approved ‘Namo Drone Didi’ as Central
Sector Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores for the period from
2023-24 to 2025-26 for providing drones to the selected Women Self
Help Groups (SHGs) for providing rental services to farmers for
agriculture purpose (application of fertilizers and pesticides). Central
Financial Assistance @ 80% of the cost of drone and
accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of Rs. 8.0 lakhs is
provided to the women SHGs for purchase of drones. The Cluster
Level Federations (CLFs) of SHGs may raise the balance amount
(total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as loan under National
Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF) with interest subvention @
3%.
Under the Namo Drone Didi scheme, the drones are supplied as a
package, which consists of basic drone with spray assembly for
Page 1 of 3spraying liquid fertilizers and pesticides. The package includes
additional 4 spare battery sets, one spare propeller set, nozzle set,
dual channel fast battery charger, battery charger hub, 15 days
training for drone pilot, drone assistant training, one-year
comprehensive insurance, 2 years annual maintenance contract and
applicable GST. The 15 days drone pilot training programme include
compulsory training for securing drone pilot licence, preparation for
flying, minor repair and maintenance and hands on practice for
handling drones for spraying of pesticides and liquid fertilizers.
As per the information provided by the Department of Fertilizers, Lead
Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) have distributed 500 drones under the
Namo Drone Didi Scheme to drone didis of SHGs in 2023-24. All these
drone didis have been provided training at the Remote Pilot
Organisations (RPTOs) authorised by DGCA. The State wise details
are indicated in Annexure.
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.
Page 2 of 3ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PARTs (a) to (d) OF LOK
SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5223 ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026
REGARDING “Target achieved under Namo Drone Didi Scheme ”
State wise details of SHGs who have been provided drones by the
LFCs
S.No State Name No. of SHGs
1 Andhra Pradesh 96
2 Assam 9
3 Bihar 5
4 Chhattisgarh 12
5 Gujarat 18
6 Haryana 22
7 Himachal Pradesh 4
8 Jharkhand 1
9 Karnataka 82
10 Kerala 2
11 Madhya Pradesh 34
12 Maharashtra 30
13 Odisha 12
14 Punjab 23
15 Rajasthan 19
16 Tamil Nadu 17
17 Telangana 72
18 Uttar Pradesh 32
19 Uttarakhand 3
20 West Bengal 7
Grand Total 500
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