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Namo Drone Didi Scheme
IMPLEMENTATION OF DRONE DIDI SCHEME
Context: The Government of India has approved ‘Namo Drone Didi’ aimed at revolutionising agriculture through advanced technology while empowering Women Self Help Groups (SHGs).
What is the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ Scheme?
- The Namo Drone Didi is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Government of India to distribute 15,000 drones to Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the country.
- The scheme has an outlay of ₹1,261 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26.
- The goal is to empower rural women by transforming them into drone service providers, thereby enhancing their income and livelihood opportunities while promoting modern technology in agriculture.
Why Was the Scheme Launched?
- Promote advanced agricultural technology to improve efficiency, enhance crop yield, and reduce operational costs.
- Empower rural women by training them to use drones for agricultural services and creating income-generating opportunities through entrepreneurship in precision farming.
How Does the Scheme Work?
- Financial Assistance: Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of 80% of the drone cost, up to a maximum of ₹8 lakh per SHG.
- Training Provisions:
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- 15-day Drone Pilot Training for one SHG member.
- 5-day Drone Assistant Training for another SHG member or a family member.
- Drone Package Components: Includes 1 standard battery set + 4 additional battery sets to support longer flight operations.
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- Coverage: A kisan drone can cover 1 acre in 7–8 minutes.
- Flight Time: Depends on the manufacturer, ranging between 5 to 20 minutes per battery charge.
