Namo Drone Didi is a Central Sector scheme, approved in November 2023 with an outlay of Rs 1,261 crore, that provides agricultural drones to about 15,000 selected women self-help groups so that they can offer spraying and other drone services to farmers on rent and earn an additional income of at least Rs 1 lakh a year.
Context
- The Prime Minister announced the scheme on 15 August 2023 and the Cabinet approved it on 29 November 2023 for 2024-25 to 2025-26.
- The first batch of drones was distributed through the lead fertilizer companies in 2023-24, and the Prime Minister handed over 1,000 drones to women SHGs on 11 March 2024 at the Sashakt Nari – Viksit Bharat event.
What the Scheme Provides
- Drones for 15,000 women SHGs under DAY-NRLM, chosen from clusters where drone use is economically viable.
- Central Financial Assistance of 80% of the cost of the drone package, up to Rs 8 lakh per SHG.
- The remaining cost can be financed through a loan under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) with 3% interest subvention.
- A complete package: the drone with spray assembly, batteries, camera, charger, a one-year warranty and a year of maintenance.
- Training: one SHG member is trained as a drone pilot (a 5-day certified course plus 10 days of agricultural training) and another as a drone technician.
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Who Implements It
- The scheme is a joint effort of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Ministry of Rural Development (DAY-NRLM) and the Department of Fertilizers, with the lead fertilizer companies helping with procurement and demand.
- Drones are used mainly for spraying nano urea and nano DAP, pesticides and micronutrients on farmers’ fields on a service-fee basis.
Benefits
- For SHG women: a new skill, a business asset and an expected income of not less than Rs 1 lakh a year per group.
- For farmers: precise spraying that cuts input use, saves water and time, and reduces exposure to chemicals.
- For agriculture: faster adoption of drone technology and nano fertilizers, and a rural service economy around them.
- It links three flagship efforts – women’s self-help groups (Lakhpati Didi), drone policy liberalisation (Drone Rules 2021) and nano fertilizers.
Important Facts for Examsmost asked
- Namo Drone Didi: Cabinet approval 29 November 2023; outlay Rs 1,261 crore; period 2024-25 to 2025-26; Central Sector scheme.
- Target: drones to 15,000 women SHGs under DAY-NRLM.
- Subsidy: 80% of drone cost up to Rs 8 lakh; balance through AIF loan at 3% interest subvention.
- Expected additional income: at least Rs 1 lakh per SHG per year.
- Training: 15 days – drone pilot certification plus agricultural application.
- Related: Lakhpati Didi initiative (target of 3 crore Lakhpati Didis) and nano urea/nano DAP promotion.
FAQs
Who owns the drone?
The SHG owns it; the trained members operate it and the group earns from the services it sells to farmers.
What is the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund?
A Rs 1 lakh crore financing facility (2020) that gives medium and long-term loans for post-harvest and community farming assets with 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee; Namo Drone Didi uses it for the SHG’s share.
Why is Namo Drone Didi asked in NABARD exams?
It sits at the intersection of rural livelihoods, SHG finance and farm technology – the outlay, the number of SHGs, the subsidy cap and the income target are the usual questions.
