Namo Drone Didi

 Namo Drone Didi

Overview

Namo Drone Didi provides agricultural drones to women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for precision spraying of fertilisers, pesticides, and nano-urea on farmers’ fields. SHGs become service providers; farmers in the village hire the drone from the SHG at affordable rates. The scheme addresses both rural women’s empowerment and cost-effective precision farming for all farmers.

Key Benefits

  • Women SHGs receive drone + training at subsidised/free cost
  • Farmers hire drone services at lower cost than traditional manual spraying
  • Precision application reduces input wastage (fertiliser, pesticide)
  • Central subsidy of up to 80% on drone cost for SHGs
  • Training provided for SHG women on drone operation and maintenance

Eligibility for Farmers

  • Any farmer in the village where an SHG with a drone operates
  • Book drone services through local SHG or its app

Notes

  • Farmers benefit indirectly; they hire the service, not receive a subsidy directly
  • Target: 15,000 drones to SHGs by 2025-26

Sources / References

  • PIB Namo Drone Didi announcement: pib.gov.in
  • Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare scheme notifications