← Government Schemes & Missions: Household & Livelihood (all topics)
Namo Drone Didi
What it is
Central sector scheme approved with an outlay of Rs 1,261 cr for FY24-FY26, providing agricultural drones to women self-help groups to run spraying services for farmers on rental
Central assistance covers 80% of drone and accessory cost up to Rs 8 lakh, with the balance financed under the agri-infrastructure facility at 3% interest subvention; each SHG is expected to service 2,000-2,500 acres a year
Impact on industries
- Creates a distribution channel for liquid formulations and nano fertilisers, which need spray equipment individual farmers do not own
- Rural livelihood angle is real, with each equipped SHG targeted to earn about Rs 1 lakh a year and members trained as DGCA-certified pilots
- Execution is far behind ambition - roughly 500 drones distributed under the scheme itself against a target near 15,000, with about 1,094 placed including company-funded units
- Constraints are practical rather than financial - transport between plots, battery logistics, maintenance access and airspace compliance limit utilisation