The Government has approved ‘Namo Drone Didi’ as Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores for the period from 2023-24 to 2025-26. As per the information provided by the Department of Fertilizers, Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) have distributed 1094 drones to drone didis of SHGs in 2023-24 using their internal resources. Out of these 1094 drones distributed, 500 drones have been distributed under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme. The drone didis provided with the drones have been trained as drone pilots at various Remote Pilot Training Organizations (RPTOs) authorized by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The State-wise number of drones distributed to SHGs by the LFCs as on January 2026 and the members of SHGs given drone pilot training is indicated in Annexure-I.
Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation Centre (ADRTC), Bangalore have carried out a study on economics and business viability of drone operations on these 500 drones provided by LFCs under Namo Drone Didi scheme. The study indicates that the SHGs earlier were primarily engaged in agriculture and allied activities and the drones provided to them has expanded their niche to modern agricultural practices through drone technology, enhancing their efficiency and productivity. Overall, the adoption of drones has diversified SHG activities, improved agricultural practices, and increased income opportunities for women in rural communities.
Annexure-I
State-wise number of drones distributed to SHGs by the LFCs as on January 2026 and the members of SHGs given drone pilot training
|
S. No
|
State Name
|
No. of SHGs provided with the Drones by LFCs & No. of members of Women SHGs trained as drone pilot
|
|
1.
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
108
|
|
2.
|
Assam
|
28
|
|
3.
|
Bihar
|
32
|
|
4.
|
Chhattisgarh
|
15
|
|
5.
|
Goa
|
1
|
|
6.
|
Gujarat
|
58
|
|
7.
|
Haryana
|
102
|
|
8.
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
4
|
|
9.
|
J&K
|
2
|
|
10.
|
Jharkhand
|
15
|
|
11.
|
Karnataka
|
145
|
|
12.
|
Kerala
|
51
|
|
13.
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
89
|
|
14.
|
Maharashtra
|
60
|
|
15.
|
Odisha
|
16
|
|
16.
|
Punjab
|
57
|
|
17.
|
Rajasthan
|
40
|
|
18
|
Tamil Nadu
|
44
|
|
19.
|
Telangana
|
81
|
|
20.
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
128
|
|
21.
|
Uttarakhand
|
3
|
|
22.
|
West Bengal
|
15
|
|
Total
|
1094
|
This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
******
RC/PU/1602