Drone Didi Yojana: Empowering Women with Free Training and Rs 8 Lakh Subsidy

Key Highlights

• Rs 8 lakh subsidy for drone purchase.
• Free training for women in drone operation.
• Focus on self-help groups.
• 3,000 drones to be distributed.
• Increased income and efficiency for farmers.

The Namo Drone Didi Yojana is an initiative by the central government aimed at empowering women by providing them with modern technology skills and resources. Under this scheme, women, particularly those associated with self-help groups (SHGs), are offered free training to operate drones and a substantial subsidy of Rs 8 lakh to help them purchase agricultural drones. This initiative not only promotes self-reliance among women but also supports farmers in improving their agricultural practices.

Also Read: MNREGA Works to be Monitored by Drones for Transparency and Accountability

Key Benefits of the Drone Didi Yojana

1. Subsidy and Training: Women will receive Rs 8 lakh as a subsidy to buy drones, along with free training on how to operate them. This training will cover drone maintenance, data analysis, and agricultural applications, empowering women to become proficient in handling this modern technology.
2. Self-Help Group Involvement: The scheme primarily benefits women from self-help groups, ensuring they have access to drones that can be used for agricultural tasks, thereby increasing their income and enhancing farming efficiency.
3. Boost to Farmers: The use of drones in farming, such as for spraying fertilizers, pesticides, and even sowing seeds, will make agricultural tasks more efficient, helping farmers reduce manual labor while improving productivity.

Drone Distribution and Loan Details

The government plans to distribute around 3,000 drones to SHGs across various states between October and December this year. Each agricultural drone costs around Rs 10 lakh. Selected women beneficiaries will receive an Rs 8 lakh subsidy, and the remaining Rs 2 lakh can be covered through a bank loan. The Ministry of Agriculture has already drafted a plan to provide drones to around 14,500 SHGs in multiple phases.

Also Read: Digital Agriculture Mission: Rs 2800 Crore Initiative to Transform Farming

Areas of Focus

Priority for drone subsidies will be given to regions with:

• Large cultivable land.
• Active SHGs.
• Areas using nano fertilizers.

States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka will likely receive the highest number of drones under this scheme.

Training and Support

Selected women will undergo a 15-day training program that includes:

• Drone operation.
• Data analysis.
• Maintenance of drones.

This training will focus on agricultural tasks like spraying pesticides, sowing seeds, and fertilizer application, all done with drones. Agricultural science centers and experts will play a crucial role in providing hands-on learning to ensure women become skilled operators.

Also Read: SUBHADRA Scheme Launched: Rs 50,000 Financial Support for Women Over 5 Years

Drone Kits for Women

In addition to the drone, beneficiaries will also receive a comprehensive drone kit, which includes:

• A drone box.
• Four extra batteries.
• A charging hub.
• A generator for uninterrupted use.

Eligibility Criteria for Drone Didi Yojana

To qualify for the Drone Didi Yojana, women need to meet certain eligibility requirements:

• Must be an Indian citizen.
• Should be part of a self-help group.
• Age between 18 and 37 years.
• Actively involved in agricultural activities.

Documents Required for Application

Women who meet the eligibility criteria can apply by submitting the following documents:

• Aadhaar card.
• Residence certificate.
• PAN card.
• Passport-sized photographs.
• Email ID.
• Self-help group identity card.

Earning Potential for Drone Didis

Once trained and certified, women can use their drones to provide essential agricultural services to local farmers, such as:

• Spraying pesticides.
• Sowing seeds.
• Applying fertilizers.

Women operating as "Drone Didis" can charge for these services on a per-hour basis, allowing them to earn a steady income while helping local farmers improve their crop yields.

Also Read: Centre to Invest ₹6,000 Crore in AI and Drones for Smart Farming

CMV360 Says

The Namo Drone Didi Yojana is a step towards empowering women and modernizing agriculture. By providing free training and subsidies for drones, the scheme offers a sustainable livelihood for women while supporting farmers with advanced agricultural solutions. This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on rural communities by boosting productivity and making farming tasks more efficient. This government-backed program will open doors for women to become self-reliant and bring advanced agricultural practices to their communities.