Namo Drone Didi Scheme

About Namo Drone Didi Scheme:

• The scheme aims to provide drones to 14500 selected Women SHGs during the period from 2024-25 to 2025-2026 for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purposes (application of liquid fertilizers and pesticides for the present). 
• Components of the operational guidelines are 

• The Scheme will be governed at the Central level by the Empowered Committee of the Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Department of Rural Development, Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• The Implementation and Monitoring Committee headed by the Additional Secretary, Department of Rural Development and having representation from all other stakeholders will be responsible for effective planning, implementation and monitoring of the scheme.

• Financial Assistance: Central Financial Assistance @ 80% of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of ₹ 8.0 lakhs will be provided to the women SHGs for the purchase of drones as a package.

• The Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) of SHGs/SHGs may raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as a loan under the National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF).
•  Interest subvention @ 3% on the AIF loan will be provided to the CLFs/SHGs.
• The CLFs/SHGs shall also have the option to access loans from other sources/programmes/schemes of the Ministry of Rural Development. 

• One of the members of the women SHGs will be selected for 15-day training comprising mandatory drone pilot training and additional training for agriculture purposes for nutrient and pesticide application. 
• The Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) responsible for the States will be the implementing agencies of the scheme at the State level.
• The drones will be procured by the LFCs through a fair and transparent process and the ownership of drones will be placed with the CLF of SHGs or SHGs.

• The State Departments of Agriculture & State Mission Directors of DAY-NRLM will have a very strong convergence and they will take ownership of the scheme for its successful implementation at the ground level with the help of the State Level Committee.
• The scheme will be monitored through an IT-based Management Information System (MIS) i.e. Drone Portal which will act as end-to-end software for service delivery and monitoring, funds flow and disbursement of funds. 
• Significance: It is envisaged that the initiatives under the scheme will provide sustainable business and livelihood support to SHGs and they would be able to earn additional income for them.