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On March 11, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the NaMo Drone Didi scheme as part of the Sashakt Nari-Viksit Bharat programme at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi. During the event, he distributed 1000 drones to beneficiary women of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in villages. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi disbursed approximately Rs 8,000 crore in bank loans to SHGs at subsidized interest rates through Bank Linkage Camps. Furthermore, he released around Rs.2,000 crore in Capitalization Support Funds to SHGs, bolstering their financial stability and capacity to drive local development initiatives. Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in the success stories of women during the event and reiterated the government’s ambitious goal of creating 3 crore “Lakhpati Didis” (women earning lakhs of rupees), as mentioned by Union Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman during the presentation of the Interim Budget 2024-25 in the Parliament, where she announced an increase in the target from 2 crore to 3 crore.

A promotional video related to the NaMo Drone Didi initiative was also recently shared by our PM to showcase the efforts taken to transform agriculture by blending modern technology and empowering rural women. Under the scheme, 15,000 women-led SHGs will be trained to become certified drone pilots. In the video, a trained female drone pilot named Krishna Patel, hailing from a rural household, discusses how this scheme is enabling rural women to be trained, employed, and self-reliant. It is also changing the mindset of rural society where men and women can find equal opportunities in the agriculture sector. The video emphasizes that the women trained to fly agricultural drones will be able to assist farmers in managing their agricultural work more efficiently, reducing time and resolving many challenges faced by farmers in the field.

Details & Benefits of the Scheme

Under the NaMo Drone Didi Scheme, 15,000 women-led SHGs will receive agricultural drones to assist in crucial tasks such as crop monitoring, fertilizer spraying, and seed sowing. The scheme aims to minimize labor costs, save time and water, and empower women in rural areas. Only women SHGs belonging to lower economic groups are eligible to apply for this scheme and should be involved in agricultural activities.

The NaMo Drone Didi scheme offers several benefits to rural women and farmers. Firstly, it creates employment opportunities as women trained as drone pilots can earn additional income by providing agricultural services to farmers. Secondly, it will prove beneficial for the delivery of essential items as drone gadgets will be used to deliver items such as milk, groceries, medicines, and medical samples, improving access to essential goods and services in rural areas. Finally, it enhances agricultural productivity as the use of drones for crop monitoring, fertilizer spraying, and seed sowing can improve agricultural productivity and efficiency.

Information about the Scheme Training

Under the scheme, women will receive comprehensive training covering various aspects of drone technology and its applications in agriculture. The training program includes drone flying, data analysis, drone maintenance, and agricultural operations. Participants will learn essential skills such as take-off, landing, and navigation in drone flying. In data analysis, participants will learn how to interpret aerial imagery, identify crop health issues, and assess field conditions. Training will also cover maintenance and upkeep of drones, including basic troubleshooting, battery management, and equipment maintenance. Additionally, women will be trained in different agricultural operations using drones, including crop monitoring, pesticide and fertilizer spraying, and seed sowing techniques..