Who are 'Drone Didis'? Find out benefits, income, eligibility and all that you need to know about the scheme

The NaMo Drone Didi scheme marks a significant milestone in empowering women in rural India and bringing about a transformation in agricultural practices.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership since 2014 has brought a renewed focus on women’s empowerment as a cornerstone of governance in India. This shift reflects a departure from previous approaches that primarily focused on women-centric development programmes to a more comprehensive framework where women play active roles and assume leadership positions across various spheres of development.

Days ahead of International Women's Day, PM Modi praised 'nari shakti' (women power), asserting that it is scaling new heights of progress across various domains. During the 110th episode of his monthly radio broadcast 'Mann Ki Baat' on February 25, the PM highlighted International Women's Day on March 8 as an occasion to honour the invaluable contributions of women to the nation's developmental trajectory.

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During an interaction with Sunita Devi from Sitapur, PM Modi highlighted the remarkable achievements of the 'Drone Didis', a term used to describe women who are spearheading change by operating drones to enhance and modernise farming techniques in rural India.

"Who would have imagined just a few years ago that women residing in rural India would also be operating drones?" he remarked. He further said that this vision is swiftly becoming a reality. At present, there is widespread discussion about Drone Didi in every village. The chant 'Namo Drone Didi, Namo Drone Didi' is on the lips of everyone.

Sunita, a mother of two and a farmer herself, shed light on the challenges encountered by farmworkers during the rainy season when fields are submerged in water. She underscored the usefulness of drones in performing specific agricultural tasks along the farm perimeter, thereby saving considerable time and effort. Sunita highlighted that farmers, including larger landholders, are increasingly relying on 'Drone Didis' for services such as pesticide spraying.

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Encouraging female listeners to share their insights, the PM conveyed his vision of empowering 'Lakhpati Didis'. Through this initiative, the government aims to assist rural self-help group women in pursuing sustainable livelihood opportunities, with the objective of ensuring they earn a minimum of Rs 1 lakh annually.

The Union Budget 2023-24 highlighted the key role of the agricultural sector, with nearly 70 percent of households dependent on it for their livelihoods. Within this sector, rural women in India emerge as a significant but often overlooked force driving the nation’s agricultural productivity and prosperity.

The primary objective of the NaMo Drone Didi initiative is to empower rural women in India and revolutionise agricultural practices. The initiative seeks to accomplish this by equipping 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with drones.

Through the utilisation of drone technology, these women will be empowered to enhance agricultural practices, monitor crops, and boost overall productivity. Furthermore, by actively involving women as pivotal contributors to the rural economy, the initiative aims to elevate their socio-economic status and foster the holistic development of rural communities.

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The NaMo Drone Didi Scheme aims to empower women and enhance productivity in the agricultural sector through the promotion of drone technology. The scheme has received a significant boost in funding, with the government allocating Rs 500 crore in the interim budget, marking a substantial increase from the previous year's allocation of Rs 200 crore. This enhanced funding underscores the government's commitment to leveraging drone technology for agricultural development.

The allocation for the Drone Didi Scheme has increased for several reasons:

(I) Training More Women: The Centre aims to train 10 lakh women over the next three years to operate drones and utilise them effectively in agricultural activities. This expanded training initiative needs additional funding to support a larger number of participants.

(II) Development of Drone Infrastructure: To facilitate the widespread adoption of drones in agriculture, the government plans to establish training centres, repair centres, and charging stations for drones.

(III) Drone Research and Development: Recognising the importance of innovation in advancing drone technology, the government intends to promote research and development (R&D) initiatives in this field. Increased funding will support efforts to enhance drone capabilities, improve performance, and address technological challenges.

(IV) Incentives for Drone Startups: To stimulate growth and innovation in the drone industry, the government will provide financial and technical assistance to drone startups, including incentives such as grants, subsidies, and support for research and development activities.

The increased allocation for the Drone Didi Scheme highlights the Centre's dedication to fostering the uptake of drone technology in agriculture and empowering women in rural regions.

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The NaMo Drone Didi Scheme serves as a multifaceted initiative with several key objectives:

(1.) Women Empowerment: Recognising the vital role of women in national development, the scheme prioritises their empowerment, particularly in rural areas where economically empowered women significantly contribute to prosperity.

(2.) Modernisation of Agriculture: Addressing the need to modernise agricultural practices, the scheme equips rural women with cutting-edge drone technology, positioning them as key drivers of rural economic growth.

(3.) Job Opportunities: By introducing drone technology in agriculture, the scheme creates new employment opportunities for rural women as drone pilots, mechanics, and spare-part dealers, promoting their economic independence and participation in emerging fields.

(4.) Overcoming Fertiliser Challenges: In the wake of India's dependence on fertiliser imports, the scheme introduces innovative solutions such as liquid nano fertilisers. Drone technology enables the efficient delivery of these fertilisers, overcoming distribution challenges and promoting agricultural sustainability.

(5.) Cost Savings: Prioritising investment in local R&D initiatives holds the potential to significantly cut India's dependence on imported fertilisers and stabilise prices in the agricultural sector.

(6.) Reduced Dependency on Imports: Investing in local R&D enables the development of innovative fertiliser technologies tailored to India's specific agricultural needs and soil conditions. This lower dependence on imported fertilisers, thereby enhancing food security and reducing vulnerability to fluctuations in global fertiliser prices.

The scheme was initiated in response to PM Modi's announcement during his Independence Day speech in 2023 to train a minimum of 15,000 'Drone Didis' across the nation, marking a significant step towards a technological revolution in agriculture by leveraging drones for field spraying. Among the scheme's key objectives are to minimise labour costs, save time and water, and empower women in rural areas.

The scheme offers several benefits to women SHGs, including:

(A) Subsidy on Drone Purchase: The Centre provides a subsidy to women SHGs for purchasing drones.

(B) Subsidy Amount: Women SHGs are eligible for a subsidy of 80 percent of the drone cost or a maximum of Rs 8 lakh, whichever is lower.

(C) Loan Facility: Additional financing for the remaining drone cost is available through the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF).

(D) Nominal Interest Rate: The loan availed through AIF carries a nominal interest rate of 3 percent, ensuring affordable repayment terms.

(E) Training: Training programs are provided to equip women SHGs with the skills needed to operate drones effectively.

(F) Rental Services: Women SHGs have the option to utilise the drones for rental services, offering agricultural help to farmers in their communities.

(H) Income Generation: By leveraging drones, women SHGs can potentially earn an additional income of Rs 1 lakh per year, enhancing their financial stability and empowerment.

• Only Women SHGs are eligible to apply.

• Drones must be used solely for rental purposes in agricultural activities.

• Women SHGs Registration Number.

• Aadhaar Card of Women Members.

• Bank Account Details of Women SHGs.

• Mobile Number.

(1.) District committees established by the government will select and shortlist eligible women SGHs under the NAMO Drone Didi Scheme.

(2.) Only registered women SHGs are eligible to avail the benefits.

(3.) District Committees will select Women Self-Help Groups based on their financial status and societal performance.

(4.)  The list of selected women SGHs will be compiled by the District Committee, and the heads of the SHGs will be notified of their selection.

(5.) Training on drone operation and technicalities will be provided to all women members of selected SHGs under the NAMO Drone Didi Scheme.

(6.) Beneficiary women can seek further assistance regarding the NAMO Drone Didi Scheme by contacting the nearest Pradhanmantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendra or Gram Panchayat Office.

Under the NaMo Drone Didi Scheme, women will receive comprehensive training covering various aspects of drone technology and its applications in agriculture. The training programme will include the following:

(1.) Drone Flying: Women will be trained in piloting drones, learning essential skills such as take-off, landing and navigation.

(2.) Data Analysis: Participants will learn how to analyse data collected by drones, including interpreting aerial imagery, identifying crop health issues, and assessing field conditions.

(3.) Drone Maintenance: Training will be given on the maintenance and upkeep of drones, including basic troubleshooting, battery management, and equipment maintenance.

(4.) Agricultural Operations: Women will be trained in different agricultural operations using drones, including:

(A) Monitoring of Crops: Participants will learn how to use drones for crop monitoring, including assessing crop growth, identifying pest infestations, and detecting diseases.

(B) Spraying of Pesticides and Fertilisers:Training will cover the proper techniques for spraying pesticides and fertilisers using drones, ensuring precise and efficient application while minimising environmental impact.

(C) Sowing of Seeds: Women will be trained in using drones for the sowing of seeds, including techniques for seed dispersal and coverage optimiation.