Indian Government Launches Drone Subsidy Program for Women-Led SHGs.
In a significant move to modernize Indian agriculture and empower women entrepreneurs, the Union government has launched the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ program. This initiative provides up to 80% subsidy on agricultural drones for women-led self-help groups (SHGs), aiming to enhance farming efficiency and productivity.
Key Highlights of the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ Program:
✅ Subsidy Benefits: Eligible women-led SHGs can get up to ₹8 lakh per drone, covering 80% of the total cost. Since agricultural drones typically cost around ₹10 lakh, this reduces the financial burden on small-scale women entrepreneurs.
✅ Program Reach: The initiative aims to support over 14,000 SHGs across India in FY 2025-26, with a total allocation of ₹1,261 crore.
✅ Complete Package: The subsidy includes essential accessories like cameras, fertilizer sprayers, extra batteries, chargers, and drone pilot training to ensure women SHGs can efficiently operate and rent out drones to farmers.
How Farm Drones Benefit Agriculture
🚜 Increased Efficiency: Drones can spray fertilizers and pesticides more accurately, reducing wastage by up to 40% per hectare.
💰 Lower Costs: Farmers save on labor and chemical expenses, making farming more cost-effective.
📊 Smart Farming: Drones provide real-time data on crop health, soil conditions, and irrigation needs, helping farmers make better decisions.
Government Oversight & Future Growth
The initiative will be managed by a multi-ministry committee, including officials from agriculture, rural development, and civil aviation ministries. Experts predict India’s drone industry will expand from ₹60 crore (2020-21) to ₹900 crore (2024-25), with ‘Namo Drone Didi’ playing a crucial role in making India a global leader in drone technology by 2030.
With this program, the government is not only modernizing agriculture but also empowering women entrepreneurs, making farming more sustainable and profitable for the future.
