Namo Drone Didi Scheme: Complete Guide for Women Farmers and Self-Help Groups

Agriculture is rapidly adopting modern technologies to improve productivity, reduce labour requirements and make farming operations more efficient. One such technology is the use of agricultural drones for spraying fertilizers, pesticides and other crop inputs.

The Namo Drone Didi Scheme is a Government of India initiative designed to make agricultural drone services available to farmers through women Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The scheme aims to empower women, create new livelihood opportunities and promote technology-driven agriculture.

What is the Namo Drone Didi Scheme?

The Namo Drone Didi Scheme is a Central Government initiative under which selected women Self-Help Groups are supported to purchase and operate agricultural drones.

The scheme was approved for the period 2024-25 to 2025-26 with an outlay of ₹1,261 crore. It aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected Women SHGs for providing rental agricultural services to farmers.

Instead of every farmer having to purchase an expensive drone, trained SHG members can operate drones as a service and provide spraying facilities to farmers in their local areas.

Main Objective of Namo Drone Didi

The scheme has two major objectives:

1. Empower women through technology

Women members of Self-Help Groups can become trained drone operators and entrepreneurs, creating an additional source of income.

2. Support modern agriculture

Drones can help farmers carry out agricultural spraying operations more quickly and efficiently, particularly across larger cultivated areas.

The scheme therefore combines women empowerment + agricultural mechanization + rural entrepreneurship.

Key Features of Namo Drone Didi Scheme

Feature	Details
Scheme	Namo Drone Didi
Target beneficiaries	Selected Women Self-Help Groups
Target	15,000 Women SHGs
Financial outlay	₹1,261 crore
Implementation   period	2024-25 to 2025-26
Main purpose	Providing agricultural drone services
Financial assistance	Up to 80% of drone package cost, subject to a maximum of ₹8 lakh
Loan support	Remaining amount can be financed through AIF loan
Interest subvention	3% on AIF loan, subject to applicable conditions
Women beneficiaries	SHG members trained as drone pilots and assistants

How Much Financial Assistance is Available?

One of the major attractions of the Namo Drone Didi Scheme is the financial assistance provided for purchasing the drone package.

The Government provides 80% Central Financial Assistance to eligible Women SHGs for the purchase of a drone and associated accessories, subject to a maximum assistance of ₹8 lakh.

The remaining portion can be arranged by the SHG through its own contribution and institutional financing, subject to the applicable scheme rules.

Example

Suppose the eligible drone package costs ₹10 lakh.

80% of ₹10 lakh = ₹8 lakh

Therefore, the maximum Central Financial Assistance can be ₹8 lakh, subject to scheme conditions.

The balance amount can be financed through the prescribed institutional credit mechanism.

What is Included in the Drone Package?

The assistance is not intended merely for purchasing a drone body. The agricultural drone package can include the equipment and accessories required to provide spraying services.

Depending on the approved package and applicable guidelines, this may include:

• Agricultural drone
• Drone-related accessories
• Spray equipment
• Batteries
• Battery charging equipment
• Other necessary components
• Training and support

The exact package and procurement specifications are governed by the applicable government guidelines.

What Services Can the Drone Provide?

Agricultural drones can be used for several field operations, particularly spraying applications.

Potential applications include:

Crop Protection

Drones can be used to spray approved crop-protection products over agricultural fields.

Liquid Fertilizer Application

Certain liquid fertilizers and crop nutrients can be applied using suitable drone equipment and approved application procedures.

Micronutrient Application

Drones can help distribute suitable liquid micronutrient formulations where drone application is recommended.

Large-Area Spraying

Drones can cover agricultural fields comparatively quickly, potentially reducing the time required for manual spraying.

The specific product, concentration, application rate and operating conditions must always follow the label, agricultural recommendation and applicable regulations.

How Does Namo Drone Didi Help Farmers?

The scheme can provide several benefits to farmers.

1. Faster Spraying

Agricultural drones can cover fields quickly compared with some traditional spraying methods.

2. Reduced Manual Labour

Farmers may reduce their dependence on manual spraying labour, particularly where labour availability is limited.

3. Timely Crop Protection

Timely spraying can be important for managing pests and diseases. Drone services can help farmers complete spraying operations when field conditions and crop stages require them.

4. Uniform Application

When properly calibrated and operated, drones can provide controlled spraying over the crop area.

5. Local Drone Services

Farmers do not necessarily need to purchase their own expensive drone. SHGs can provide drone services on a rental or service basis.

Benefits for Women Self-Help Groups

The scheme is not only an agricultural mechanization programme. It is also a women entrepreneurship initiative.

Women SHGs can potentially earn income by providing drone-based agricultural services to farmers.

Major opportunities include:

• New rural employment
• Technology-based entrepreneurship
• Additional SHG income
• Skill development
• Better participation of women in agricultural mechanization
• Local service businesses
• Greater exposure to modern agricultural technology

This can help transform SHGs from traditional livelihood groups into technology-enabled rural enterprises.

How Does the Namo Drone Didi Model Work?

The basic working model can be understood as:

Women SHG selected

↓

Financial assistance + institutional credit

↓

Drone procurement

↓

Women members receive training

↓

Drone used for agricultural services

↓

Farmers hire SHG drone services

↓

SHG earns service income

↓

Rural women become technology entrepreneurs

This creates a service-based agricultural business model at the village and local level.

Challenges and Important Considerations

Although agricultural drones offer significant opportunities, successful implementation requires proper planning.

Training

Operators must receive appropriate training and follow safety procedures.

Drone Maintenance

Batteries, motors, spray systems and other components require regular maintenance.

Weather Conditions

Wind, rain and other weather conditions can affect drone operations.

Correct Application

Farmers and operators must follow approved product labels and recommended application rates.

Regulatory Compliance

Drone operations must comply with applicable aviation and agricultural regulations.

Financial Management

SHGs must properly manage service charges, operating expenses, battery replacement, maintenance and loan repayment.

How Can Farmers Access Drone Services?

Farmers generally do not apply for the drone itself under this scheme. The drone is provided to selected Women SHGs, which then provide agricultural services.

Farmers interested in using drone spraying services should contact:

• Local Women SHGs
• Agriculture Department officials
• Farmer Producer Organizations
• Local agricultural extension officers
• District rural development agencies
• Authorized agricultural service providers

Availability can vary from one area to another.

Conclusion

The Namo Drone Didi Scheme represents an important step towards combining women empowerment with modern agricultural technology.

By supporting selected Women Self-Help Groups with financial assistance, training and institutional credit, the scheme aims to create a network of rural women-led drone service providers.

For farmers, the programme can improve access to modern spraying services. For women SHGs, it can create a new technology-driven source of livelihood and entrepreneurship.