Parliament Question: Target achieved under Namo Drone Didi Scheme

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 ***** Page 3 of 3