Central Govtequipment

Namo Drone Didi

Free agricultural drones and training for women Self Help Groups to provide rental drone spraying services.

About this scheme

Approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2023 with an outlay of Rs 1,261 crore for 2024-25 and 2025-26, the scheme provides drones to 15,000 selected women Self Help Groups under DAY-NRLM. The SHGs rent out drone services to farmers for spraying liquid fertilisers and pesticides, creating a sustainable livelihood of about Rs 1 lakh per year per SHG. Each package includes the drone, spray assembly, batteries, charging hub, transport vehicle and a 15-day training programme for a Drone Pilot ('Drone Didi') and an assistant.

Benefits

Central financial assistance of 80% of drone and accessory cost, up to Rs 8 lakh per SHG
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund loan for the remaining amount at 3% interest subvention
Free 15-day training for one member as a certified drone pilot and one as an assistant
Estimated additional SHG income of about Rs 1 lakh per year
Faster and safer spraying with reduced input and water use for farmers

Who can apply

Women Self Help Groups affiliated to DAY-NRLM
SHG must be selected by the state through the prescribed cluster criteria
Nominated member must be 18 years or older and educated up to class 10 for the pilot role
Cluster must have adequate demand for drone spraying services

Documents required

Aadhaar of SHG members
SHG registration and bank account details
Class 10 certificate of the nominated pilot
Resolution of the SHG nominating members
Cluster demand assessment from the block office

How to apply

1State Rural Livelihood Mission identifies eligible clusters and SHGs
2SHG applies through its Cluster Level Federation or Block Mission Management Unit
3Selected members undergo 15-day drone pilot training at an approved centre
4Drone package is supplied by the empanelled Lead Fertiliser Company
5SHG begins rental spraying operations and repays the AIF loan from earnings

Important dates

Scheme period: 2024-25 to 2025-26 (15,000 drones target)

Available in: All India

Visit the official portal