In a significant move to boost Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary “Namo Drone Didi” initiative in Uttar Pradesh, the state government has revealed a comprehensive action plan.
According to officials, various departments have been allocated specific responsibilities, with district-level committees formed to execute the action plan. The Rural Development Department is set to be designated as the nodal agency at the state level, with proposals for the establishment of state-level committees currently in progress.
The “Namo Drone Didi” scheme, conceived by the Modi government, aims to empower women and foster self-reliance by providing training in drone flying, data analysis, and maintenance. Moreover, the scheme envisions leveraging drone technology in agriculture to optimize resource usage, including fertilizers, agro-chemicals, and water, while reducing spraying expenses.
Under the scheme, the Rural Development Department will select women’s groups under the NRLM in specified clusters, with one member from each group trained as a drone pilot. The department will also oversee financial matters related to drone operations and provide support in securing grants and loans.
Simultaneously, the Agriculture Department will identify crop-specific clusters at the district level, ensuring the availability of necessary agricultural inputs and coordinating with suppliers. Technical guidance and training on drone usage will be facilitated by scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK).
IFFCO, a premier fertilizer company, will play a pivotal role in coordinating with drone supply companies, providing training to female drone pilots, and ensuring maintenance services. Meanwhile, RCF will manage the timely procurement of funds for drone acquisition.
The scheme aims to distribute a total of 15,000 drones by 2025-26, with 114 drones already allocated to NRLM women’s SHGs in the previous fiscal year. IFFCO has been appointed as the implementing agency, having already trained 114 “Drone Didis.”
Plans are underway to conduct drone spraying of Nano Urea, Nano DAP, and agro-chemicals over approximately 5,125 hectares of agricultural land across Uttar Pradesh, encompassing both kharif and rabi seasons. Additionally, protocols for waste decomposer usage in stubble management via drones are being developed.