Lok Sabha Question No. 1287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-30
Subject: Promoting the use of Drones in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1287

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 30 TH  JULY 2024

## PROMOTING THE USE OF DRONES IN AGRICULTURE

## 1287.  SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Government  has  been  promoting  the  use  of  drone  in Agriculture in a very large way across the country;
- (b)  if so, the details of utilizing drones for agricultural purposes across the country and the advantages thereof;
- (c)  whether it is a fact that the Government has planned for training of Self Help Groups (SHGs)  and  Jeevika  Didis  for  Drone  services  across  the  country,  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d)  the  progress made so far and the expenditure in supporting the Drone Didi Scheme across the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (d):  Use of drones in agriculture has distinct advantages like increased efficiency, cost effectiveness due to reduction in cost of spraying, saving of fertilizers and pesticides due to high degree of atomization, saving of water due to ultra-low volume spraying etc. besides reduction  of  human  exposure  to  hazardous  chemicals.  The  Government  has  approved 'Namo Drone Didi' as Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores for the period from 2023-24 to 2025-26. The scheme aims to provide drones to 15000 selected Women SHGs for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose (application of fertilizers and pesticides). Of the total  15,000  drones,  first  500  drones  have  been  procured  by  Lead  Fertilizer  Companies (LFCs)  in  2023-24,  using  their  internal  resources  and  distributed  to  selected  SHGs. Remaining 14500 drones are to be provided under this scheme during 2024-25 and 202526 with Central Financial Assistance @ 80% of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of Rs. 8.0 lakhs per drone. The SHGs have to raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as loan under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF).  Interest subvention @ 3% on the AIF loan will also be available to the SHGs.

Provisions have been made under the scheme to train one of the  members of women SHG which  include  5  days  mandatory  drone  pilot  training  and  additional  10  days  training  on operation  of  drones  for  spraying  nutrients  and  pesticides.  Other  SHG  member/family member having inclination towards repair of electrical items, fittings and mechanical works will be trained as drone assistant. The scheme will help in infusing advance technology in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhanced crop yield and reduced cost of operation for the benefit of farmers. The scheme will also provide sustainable business and livelihood support to SHGs and they would be able to earn additional income.

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