Drone Didi Yojana: Empowering Women with Rs 500 Crore Budget Allocation

Key Highlights

• Rs 500 crore allocated in Budget 2024.
• Training for 15,000 women to fly drones.
• Up to Rs 8 lakh subsidy on drone purchases.
• Monthly honorarium of Rs 15,000 for trained women.

In a significant move to empower women and boost agricultural productivity, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the allocation of Rs 500 crore for the Drone Didi scheme in the first Union Budget 2024 of the third term of the Modi government. This initiative is set to benefit farmers, agriculture, villages, and particularly women by enabling them to become drone pilots.

What is the Drone Didi Yojana?

The Drone Didi Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 28, 2023, is an ambitious scheme designed to make women self-reliant in the agricultural sector. The program aims to empower women and enhance agricultural productivity by training 1 lakh women over the next five years to operate drones. The scheme will be implemented through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).

Training 15,000 Women to Fly Drones

Under the Namo Drone Didi scheme, 15,000 women across the country will receive training to fly drones. This training will cover drone flying, data analysis, and drone maintenance. Additionally, women will learn to use drones for various agricultural tasks such as monitoring crops, spraying pesticides and fertilizers, and sowing seeds. This initiative not only provides technical skills but also promotes self-reliance among women.

Subsidy on Drone Purchases

The Drone Didi scheme offers significant financial support to women. It includes a subsidy of up to Rs 8 lakh on the purchase of drones. Women self-help groups can avail of this subsidy, which covers 80 percent of the drone's cost. For the remaining cost, loans are available from the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) at an interest rate of only 3 percent. This scheme is expected to create new employment opportunities in rural areas and strengthen the local economy. With drones, women's self-help groups can earn an additional Rs 1 lakh annually.

How to Avail the Benefits

To benefit from the Drone Didi scheme, women must be active members of a self-help group, aged between 18 and 37 years, and Indian citizens. Selected women will undergo a 15-day training program to become Drone Didis. Upon completion, they will receive an honorarium of Rs 15,000 per month, which is directly transferred to their accounts. The training is provided to clusters of 10 to 15 villages to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Required Documents

To apply for the Drone Didi scheme, the following documents are required:

• Aadhar Card
• Self-Help Group Identity Card
• Local Residence Certificate
• PAN Card
• Mobile Number
• Email ID
• Passport Size Photo

The Drone Didi Yojana is a transformative step towards empowering women and modernizing agriculture in India. By making advanced technology accessible to women, the scheme promises to bring prosperity to villages and improve agricultural practices across the country.

Also Read: Extreme Weather Devastates Crops, Affects 50 Thousand Farmers

CMV360 Says

The Drone Didi Yojana is a landmark initiative that empowers women and modernizes agriculture. By providing training and financial support, the scheme aims to boost rural economies, enhance agricultural productivity, and create new opportunities for women, driving progress and prosperity in Indian villages.