Government has released the Operational Guidelines of Central Sector Scheme Namo Drone Didi. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry has approved this Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission with an outlay of one thousand 261 crore rupees. The scheme aims to provide drones to 14 thousand 500 selected Women Self Help Groups during the period from 2024-25 to 2025-2026.

According to the guidelines, the Namo Drone Didi Scheme will be governed at the Central level by the Empowered Committee of the Secretaries of Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Department of Rural Development and Fertilizers. Eighty per cent of the cost of drone and accessories charges up to a maximum of eight lakhs will be provided to the women Self Help Groups for purchase of drones. The Cluster Level Federations of Self Help Groups will raise the balance amount as loan under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility. One of the members of the women Self Help Groups will be selected for 15 day training comprising mandatory drone pilot training and additional training for agriculture purpose for nutrient and pesticide application. The Lead Fertilizer Companies will be responsible for the States. They will establish necessary coordination with the State Departments, Drone manufacturers, Cluster Level Federations of Self Help Groups and the farmers. The drones will be procured by the Lead Fertilizer Companies through a fair and transparent process. The Ministry has asked all the stakeholders to make meaningful use of these operational guidelines to ensure prompt roll out and implementation of the Namo Drone Didi Scheme.