The namo didi drone scheme is a transformative initiative launched under India’s Sashakt Nari–Viksit Bharat program, designed to empower rural women by integrating drone technology into agriculture and entrepreneurship. This visionary scheme provides drones and tailored training to women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs), enabling them to operate advanced UAVs for agricultural services such as spraying, mapping, and monitoring. Often referred to interchangeably as the namo drone didi scheme, the program not only modernizes farming practices but places women at the forefront of rural technology adoption and economic self-reliance.
Purpose and Objectives of the Scheme
The core aim of the namo didi drone scheme is to foster women’s economic empowerment through technology-enabled entrepreneurship. SHGs receiving drones are trained extensively to pilot, maintain, and deploy UAVs for precision spraying, crop surveillance, and data-rich mapping. By merging government support, cutting-edge drones, and local leadership, the initiative enables women to generate income while providing valuable services to farmers—enhancing yields, reducing chemical use, and supporting sustainable agriculture. The program’s dual mission of technological diffusion and gender equality sets it apart.
Eligibility and Application Process
To participate in the namo drone didi scheme, women SHGs must register under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) or similar rural livelihoods programs. Once identified, nodal agencies screen SHGs based on criteria like financial management, community reach, and prior activity track record. Eligible groups apply through district-level committees, providing documents such as Aadhaar and group registration proofs. Selected SHGs undergo a rigorous due diligence process before being shortlisted for the next phase.
Comprehensive Drone Training Program
Training is at the heart of the namo didi drone scheme, equipping participants to operate UAVs confidently and safely. The program spans fifteen days: the first five days focus on drone mechanics, flight controls, GPS navigation, and safety protocols. The remaining ten days are devoted to agricultural applications—covering spray techniques, payload calibration, crop health analysis, and drone upkeep. Facilitated by agricultural experts and certified drone instructors, this robust training builds women into tech-savvy service providers ready to meet rural demands.
Subsidy and Financial Framework
Under the namo drone didi scheme, financial support is structured to reduce barriers to adoption. Each drone, valued at approximately ₹10–12 lakh, is subsidized up to 80%—with direct central support through agricultural welfare funds. The remaining 20% is funded via low-interest loans under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund at 3% per annum. By minimizing upfront capital, the scheme reduces risk for women SHGs and encourages long-term business planning and growth. Post-training, groups can offer drone services to farmers, creating sustainable revenue streams.
Operational Implementation and Execution
Once SHGs complete the training and receive their drone systems, they begin delivering services—covering tasks such as pest control spraying, seed dispersal, aerial tillage, and crop surveillance. Equipped with ground control stations and GIS software provided under the scheme, SHGs generate service plans, pricing structures, and operational schedules. Drones used in demonstration villages record field sizes, GPS-based routes, and application efficacy—data that further refine operations. These metrics help showcase drone benefits to farmers and build trust in new practices.
Economic Impact and Entrepreneurial Opportunity
The namo didi drone scheme has started generating real economic uplift. In pilot regions, trained SHGs reportedly earn between ₹40,000 and ₹60,000 monthly from drone service charges—surpassing many other rural income sources. Demand is growing—especially from smallholder farmers who previously lacked access to high-tech agricultural services. This not only diversifies SHG incomes but builds a women-led rural micro-enterprise model. Beyond incomes, access to digital tools such as drone mapping, app-based scheduling, and service logs integrates women into broader agricultural value chains.
Scaling and Future Roadmap
With the initial success of drone rollouts in states like Maharashtra, UP, and Karnataka, the namo didi drone scheme is now scaling rapidly. The government plans to deploy 15,000 agricultural drones by 2026, targeting all 100 districts in Phase II. Future enhancements include solar-powered charging stations, AI-driven aerial analysis software, and drone insurance partnerships. Workshops are expanding to incorporate drone-based weather monitoring, digital soil testing, and seed delivery via UAVs—further enriching SHG service portfolios.
Real-Life Success Stories
In Madhya Pradesh, a women-led SHG from a dryland area embraced the namo didi drone scheme and began offering aerial spraying on 200 hectares of millets and pulses. Within a single cropping season, they reported a 30% reduction in pesticide usage and a noticeable improvement in yields. Farmers in the region noted the environmental benefits of precision application and praised the ease of service. In Tamil Nadu, the same namo drone didi scheme equipped SHGs to pilot drones that mapped irrigated sugarcane fields. The detailed aerial mapping aided in efficient water management and precise nutrient distribution, resulting in operational savings and stronger rural incomes.
Community Transformation Through Technology
The namo didi drone scheme does more than deploy hardware—it sparks broader community transformations. As women SHG members operate drones in public spaces, they challenge norms and redefine gender roles in rural India. The presence of women drone pilots inspires younger girls to pursue STEM education and empowers mothers to envision non-traditional careers. With each drone flight, the entire village gains exposure to innovation—spurring digital literacy, gender equity, and agricultural modernization in ways previously unimaginable.
Challenges and Solutions in Implementation
Scaling the namo drone didi scheme was not without hurdles. Many SHGs initially struggled with device maintenance and firmware updates due to poor connectivity. In response, state agencies deployed mobile drone service vans equipped with diagnostic tools and satellite backup connectivity. Another challenge was the high cost of spare parts. To resolve this, Mpower and other OEM partners introduced drone leasing options and warranty-backed service agreements. For remote villages, solar-powered charging stations were introduced, ensuring a sustainable power supply independent of unreliable grids.
Tech Integration: Data-Driven Farming
An exciting outcome of the namo didi drone scheme has been the incorporation of data-driven decision-making in agriculture. Participating SHGs now use drone imagery to generate NDVI maps and soil moisture analytics—empowering farmers to apply inputs more efficiently and reduce costs. These data sets are shared via simple mobile dashboards alongside field technicians, enabling dynamic responses to crop stress and disease. The ability to access precise field intelligence marks a profound shift towards high-tech farming practices in rural contexts.
Financial Viability and Scaling Outcomes
Financially, the namo didi drone scheme is leaving a measurable impact. SHGs have generated revenue upwards of ₹5 lakh in a single agricultural season by offering spraying, mapping, and data services. With improved cash flow, some groups have expanded to purchase additional drones, hired extra pilots, and invested in training other village women. The commercial viability of drone-based agri-services is self-reinforcing, turning what began as a governmental subsidy into a blueprint for sustainable rural entrepreneurship.
Environmental Benefits and Sustainability
Precision drone spraying under the namo drone didi scheme significantly reduces agrochemical usage—lessening contamination of soil and water bodies. Controlled spray applications lead to fewer off-target drips and deeper adherence on crops, reducing fertilizer needs by up to 20%. Drone-based soil and crop management also support conservation agriculture, reducing tillage cycles and preserving moisture. As these eco-friendly practices take hold, villages benefit from both improved crop output and enhanced environmental health.
Future Opportunities and Innovations
With early success established, the namo didi drone scheme is exploring future upgrades. Potential applications include aerial seeding for reforestation, drone-assisted sonar pond management, and remote-sensing fueled livestock monitoring. Upcoming AI enhancements could enable automated crop disease detection and autonomous flight scheduling. Partnerships with agritech startups promise new complements like drone-to-mobile connectivity kits and integrated input delivery platforms—expanding opportunities for women SHGs in drone service ecosystems.
The Role of Mpower in the Scheme’s Progress
Mpower plays a pivotal role in the namo drone didi scheme through its supply of BIS-certified, long-endurance batteries that are core to operational efficiency. Mpower also supports SHGs with training on battery charging best practices, maintenance protocols, and safe disposal methods. Their on-site technical teams assist with battery replacements and firmware updates—ensuring drone systems remain airworthy. By integrating logistics and technical support into the scheme, Mpower strengthens trust and reliability in drone-powered rural services.
Conclusion
The namo didi drone scheme, also called the namo drone didi scheme, is more than an initiative—it is a catalyst for rural transformation. By equipping women SHGs with drones, training, financial structures, and technical partners, it creates empowered micro-enterprises in the heart of Indian agrarian economies. Women gain agency, communities gain services, and agriculture gains productivity—all rooted in precision technology and sustainable practice. Through its reliable drone batteries and integrative support, Mpower demonstrates how private enterprise can amplify public good—reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in empowering India’s rural women and modernizing its farming landscape.