Namo Drone Didi Portal - Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

About Drone DIDI Portal

The NAMO DRONE DIDI scheme is a Central Sector Scheme designed to harness the collaborative efforts of key government departments, including the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Department of Rural Development (DoRD), and Department of Fertilizers (DoF). The initiative aims to promote the utilization of drones in agriculture for the precise spraying of Nano fertilizers and pesticides with the emphasis on women's engagement and their sustained participation in mainstream agriculture.

The Key Highlights Of The Scheme Are

The scheme proposes holistic interventions by converging the resources and efforts of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Department of Rural Development (DoRD) and Department of Fertilizers (DoF), Women SHGs promoted under DAY – NRLM and Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs).
The implementation of the scheme hinges on rightful selection of the area/cluster and SHG groups in Rural Areas under DAY – NRLM where there is demand for drone to provide agriculture services. Thus, demand from the farmers based on certain commitment on their part for drone services will be evaluated for selection of the area/cluster which will then become the basis for selection of SHGs.
Appropriate clusters where usage of Drones is economically feasible will be identified.
The progressive women SHGs under DAY – NRLM in the States in the identified clusters will be selected for providing drones by the Committee at State level comprising of State Department of Agriculture, State Mission Directorate of DAY-NRLM, LFC and representatives from the ICAR institutions/SAUs/KVKs. The committee will be responsible for selection of appropriate clusters for drone usage, selection of the progressive women SHGs under DAY – NRLM in the States in the identified clusters for providing drones, selection of members of the women SHGs for drone pilot and drone assistant training, assessment of district-wise drone usage, availability and existing gap and identify the future requirements, providing/ensuring business to selected Women SHGs in coordination with the LFCs and Pesticide companies etc.

One of the members of the women SHGs who is qualified will be selected for 15-day training comprising of 5-day mandatory drone pilot training and additional 10 days training for agriculture purpose for nutrient and pesticide application.
The other member/ family member of the SHG under DAY – NRLM with inclination to take up repairs of electrical goods, fitting and mechanical works will be trained as drone assistant.
Financial assistance and loan for purchase of drones will be provided to these identified SHGs under DAY – NRLM
Considering the difficulties which SHGs under DAY – NRLM may face in procuring the drones, repair, and maintenance of drones through drone companies, the LFCs will act as a bridge between drone manufacturing companies and SHGs. LFCs will procure drones and place the ownership of drones with SHGs through Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cluster Level Federation (CLF) of SHGs concerned.
The LFCs will also sign MoU with the drone supplier companies for their repair and maintenance. LFCs will also promote use of Nano Fertilizers by the drones with SHGs. SHGs will rent out the drone services to the farmers for Nano fertilizer and pesticide application and will earn additional income for the SHGs.