Namo Drone Didi has been approved by the Government 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.  The major objectives of the scheme are to promote advance technology in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhanced crop yield & reduced cost of operation and to empower SHGs as drone service providers for increasing their income and providing livelihood support to them. 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, 500 drones have been distributed under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme. As per the information provided by the Department of Fertilizers, the drones supplied by the LFCs are being used for application of Nano Fertilizers and the State-wise details are placed at 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

States where Nano Fertilizers are being sprayed by using drone technology

S. No	State Name	No. of Drone Didi
1.	Andhra Pradesh	106
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	147
12.	Kerala	51
13.	Madhya Pradesh	87
14.	Maharashtra	60
15.	Odisha	16
16.	Punjab	57
17.	Rajasthan	36
18	Tamil Nadu	44
19.	Telangana	81
20.	Uttar Pradesh	135
21.	Uttarakhand	3
22.	West Bengal	14
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.

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RC/ KSR/AR

(Release ID: 2151355)