Namo Drone Didi scheme: Agriculture sector is the backbone of the Indian economy, engaging around 43% of the population and contributing approximately 16% to the gross domestic product. It plays a vital role in ensuring food security for India’s 1.42 billion people. The country’s population is projected to rise to 1.668 billion by 2050, according to the United Nations World Population Prospects, 2022. This demographic surge will place additional strain on an already burdened agricultural sector.
Despite significant progress in the industrial and service sectors, agriculture remains crucial to rural livelihoods and economic development in India. However, the sector faces several challenges, including fragmented landholdings, volatile markets, the impacts of climate change, and rising input costs. In response to these issues, technological innovations have become essential. Drone technology is emerging as a game-changer, offering the potential to revolutionise agricultural practices and enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.
READ I Govts must protect children from commercial interests
Empowering women through farm modernisation
The Namo Drone Didi scheme, introduced for inclusive technological development, is a pioneering effort to empower rural women in traditionally male-dominated fields. This initiative provides training to women, enabling them to operate drones and offer essential agricultural services to local farmers. By aligning women’s empowerment with agricultural modernisation, the scheme fosters both social progress and economic development.
Women participating in the scheme are organised into self-help groups where they acquire skills in drone operation, including aerial surveys, precision farming techniques, and pesticide spraying. These operations not only improve crop yields but also provide women with a sustainable income, promoting gender equality and enhancing their financial autonomy. As these women embrace drone technology, they become active contributors to the growing agri-tech sector.
Evolution of drone technology in agriculture
Globally, drone technology has revolutionised several industries, including agriculture. In India, drones offer vast potential: they can survey large areas, monitor crops, detect diseases or pests early, and facilitate precise application of pesticides and fertilisers. This precision farming approach boosts crop yields while minimising costs and waste associated with traditional farming methods.
However, drone adoption in Indian agriculture has been slow. High costs, limited awareness, and inadequate technological infrastructure in rural areas have hindered widespread implementation. To address these challenges, the Namo Drone Didi scheme, not only promotes drone technology but also empowers rural women.
Namo Drone Didi scheme highlights
The Namo Drone Didi scheme provides rural women with the skills and resources to operate drones, turning them into vital players in agricultural modernisation. Women-led SHGs receive drones, training, and support, enabling them to offer services such as pesticide spraying, crop monitoring, and precision farming to local farmers. Once trained and certified, these women—known as Drone Didis—can rent out their services, creating new income streams and fostering entrepreneurship.
With an initial budget of Rs 1,261 crore, the scheme seeks to equip over 15,000 women nationwide. By integrating technology with social welfare, the Namo Drone Didi initiative not only enhances agricultural productivity but also empowers women to take on leadership roles within their communities, contributing to sustainable development.
Challenges in implementation
Despite its potential, several challenges may impede the widespread adoption of drone technology in Indian agriculture, especially in rural areas.
Initial cost: Even with subsidies, the cost of acquiring, maintaining, and operating drones can be prohibitively high for smallholder farmers, who typically own just 1.08 hectares of land. While SHGs help mitigate some costs, affordability remains a concern compared to larger farms in countries like the U.S. or Japan, where drones are more cost-effective.
Infrastructure and connectivity: Drones require stable internet connections, reliable GPS systems, and consistent power supplies. Many rural areas in India lack such infrastructure, with erratic electricity and poor internet connectivity hindering drone deployment for precision farming.
Regulatory barriers: Operating drones involves navigating a complex regulatory landscape, including obtaining licenses and permissions. While the government has streamlined some processes, regulatory restrictions on airspace usage and altitude limits can still pose challenges, particularly for rural women unfamiliar with legal requirements.
Technological literacy and mindset shifts: Many farmers, especially older generations, are reluctant to adopt new technologies, having relied on manual labour for years. While the Namo Drone Didi scheme includes training, convincing farmers of the benefits of drones remains crucial for widespread adoption.
Privacy concerns: The use of drones can raise privacy concerns for both farmers and neighbouring communities. Drones equipped with cameras might inadvertently capture images of private property, raising fears of unauthorised surveillance.
Safety hazards: Drones used for tasks like pesticide spraying pose potential safety risks if they malfunction or are mishandled, leading to accidental exposure to chemicals or physical harm.
Global perspectives: Lessons from other countries
Several countries, including Japan, China, and the United States, have integrated drones into agriculture, offering valuable lessons for India.
In Japan, drones have been used in rice farming since the 1980s, primarily for pesticide spraying and precision seeding. This early adoption reduced labour demands and improved accuracy in pesticide application. Today, drones cover over 1.05 million hectares of agricultural land in Japan, making it a global leader in agricultural drone technology.
In the US, drones are widely used in large-scale farming for soil analysis, crop monitoring, and irrigation management. A 2023 report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that about 27% of farms use precision technologies, including drones. However, replicating the US model in India is challenging due to smaller and more fragmented landholdings.
China’s aggressive promotion of drone technology among smallholder farmers through subsidies and training programs offers a more relevant example for India. Similar government-led efforts have made drones more accessible, aligning with the objectives of the Namo Drone Didi scheme.
Empowering women and modernising agriculture
For the Namo Drone Didi scheme to reach its full potential, several key challenges must be addressed:
Improving infrastructure: Strengthening rural internet connectivity and ensuring stable power supplies are critical. Public-private partnerships could play a pivotal role in building this infrastructure.
Raising awareness: Educating farmers about the benefits of drone technology through demonstrations, training, and collaborations with agricultural universities is essential. Tailoring these programs to regional needs can improve technological literacy and reduce resistance to change.
Streamlining regulation: Simplified regulatory processes would make it easier for rural women to operate drones without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
While India is not the first country to integrate drones into agriculture, its focus on empowering women through technology is unique. With continued government support, improved infrastructure, and greater farmer awareness, the Namo Drone Didi scheme has the potential to modernise farming, enhance food security, and economically empower women. By addressing these challenges, the initiative could serve as a model for other developing nations seeking to boost agricultural productivity while promoting gender equality and rural technological advancement.
The author is a research scholar at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi.