In a groundbreaking move to modernize agriculture and empower women, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has launched a visionary drone initiative under the “NaMo Drone Didi” program. Officially inaugurated on November 30, 2023, the program aims to distribute 15,000 drones to women self-help groups (SHGs) by 2025-26, enabling them to revolutionize farming practices across the state.
Key Goals of the Initiative:
- Empowering Women Farmers: Women SHG members will receive training and support to operate agri-drones for pesticide spraying, crop monitoring, and other tasks.
- Economic Independence: Each drone service center will help women earn between ₹8–10 lakh per unit through services to local farmers.
- Technical Training: Training will be provided to ensure professional drone handling and maintenance.
- Increased Productivity: Drone usage will help reduce labor costs, increase crop yields, and promote precision farming.
Financial and Implementation Highlights:
- 80% subsidy (₹8 lakh) from the Central Government on drones priced at ₹10 lakh.
- 20% contribution (₹2 lakh) facilitated through bank linkages and local SHGs.
- The target for Andhra Pradesh is to deploy drones to 440 women SHG members by 2025.
- SERP (Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty) is coordinating the implementation and training programs.
This initiative not only brings cutting-edge technology to smallholder farms but also opens new livelihood opportunities for rural women, transforming them into agri-tech entrepreneurs and contributing to the larger vision of sustainable and inclusive development.
