Govt releases operational guidelines for ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme

The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has released the Operational Guidelines for the 'Namo Drone Didi' scheme. This Central Sector Scheme aims to provide drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the DAY-NRLM with an outlay of ₹1,261 crores.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, all stakeholders have been requested to make meaningful use of these operational guidelines to ensure prompt rollout and implementation of the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ Scheme.

The scheme will deliver drones to 14,500 selected Women SHGs during the period from 2024-25 to 2025-2026, enabling them to offer rental services to farmers for agricultural purposes. The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare emphasized the importance of utilizing the operational guidelines for effective rollout and implementation.

Major components of the operational guidelines

• The Scheme will be governed at the Central level by the Empowered Committee of the Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, the Department of Rural Development, the Department of Fertilizers, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the 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 and it will provide overall advice and guidance to all technical matters related to the implementation of the scheme.
• Under the scheme, Central Financial Assistance @ 80 percent of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of Rs 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 percent 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/programs/schemes of the Ministry of Rural Development. 
• Under the scheme, not only the drones but, drones as a package will be supplied.  The package will consist of a basic drone with spray assembly for spraying liquid fertilizers and pesticides, Drone carrying box, standard battery set, downward facing camera, dual-channel fast battery charger, battery charger hub, anemometer, pH meter, and 1-year onsite warranty on all items.
• The package also includes 04 spare battery sets, one spare propeller set (each set contains 6 propellers), a nozzle set, a dual channel fast battery charger, a battery charger hub, 15 days of training for drone pilot and drone assistant, one-year comprehensive insurance, 2 years annual maintenance contract, and applicable GST. The additional sets of batteries will ensure continuous drone flying which can easily cover 20 acres in a day.
• 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 other member/ family member of the SHG with the inclination to take up repairs of electrical goods, fitting, and mechanical works will be trained as a drone assistant. The drone manufacturers shall provide this training as a package along with the supply of drones as per the training schedule indicated in the Operational Guidelines.
• The Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) responsible for the States will be the implementing agencies of the scheme at the State level and they will establish necessary coordination with the State Departments, Drone manufacturers, Cluster Level Federations of SHGs/SHGs, and the farmers/beneficiaries etc. 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.
• Implementation of the scheme hinges on the rightful selection of the area/cluster and SHG group where there is demand for drones to provide agriculture services. As the introduction of drones in agriculture is at a nascent stage, the States will closely monitor the interventions, provide handholding support to the women SHGs, and help them in getting the business to cover an area of at least 2000 to 2500 acres in a year. 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.
• Effective monitoring of the scheme will be 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. The portal will also track the operations of each drone and provide live information on drone usage.
• 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. The scheme will help in infusing advanced technology in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhanced crop yield, and reduced cost of operation for the benefit of farmers.