Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Mahila Kisan Drone Center through video conferencing. Under the “Drone Didi Scheme,” drones may be made to be handed to girls’ self-help groups (SHGs), who can earn additional earnings by means of renting them to farmers. The plan to offer drones to 15 thousand women’s companies got the approval of the Union Cabinet on Tuesday. Under this, girls’s groups may be given an 80 % subsidy (maximum Rs 8 lakh) to buy drones. Besides, training in running drones will also be given.
When did PM Modi launch the ” drone didi scheme”?
In his Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister introduced to make rural women ‘Drone Didi.’ Komalapati Venkata Ravanamma, a self-help group member from Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district, informed the Prime Minister that it took her 12 days to finish her education in flying the drone. The Prime Minister stated that when training for working drones was started, many people had expressed doubts about this scheme. The prime minister also devoted to the nation the landmark 10,000th Jan Aushadi Kendra at AIIMS, Deoghar. Women like Raman Amma ji have proved that drones will move past the scope of an era in agriculture and will also become a symbol of ladies’ empowerment.
What is the plan?
The Union Cabinet has approved a scheme of Rs 1261 crore for the duration of the 12 months 2024-25 to 2025-26 for providing drones to ladies’ self-help groups(SHGs). It is estimated that by renting drones to farmers for agricultural work, women’s companies can earn extra profits of as much as Rs 1 lakh annually. Fifteen thousand ladies SHGs from throughout the country might be selected for subsidy on drones.
To buy drones, ladies SHGs may be given 80 percent of the cost of drones and accessories/add-ons up to a maximum of Rs 8 lakh as vital help. The last amount can be raised as a mortgage below the National Agricultural Infra Financing Facility (AIF).
Training to women
Women SHG individuals may be given 15 days of training. It will include five days of mandatory drone pilot training and ten days of additional education on the use of nutrients and pesticides for agricultural purposes. Other contributors/family members of the SHG who are inclined to repair electrical items, fittings, and mechanical works could be educated as drone technicians/assistants.
Use of nano fertilizers from drones
Efforts are being made to promote the usage of nano fertilizers like nano urea and nano DAP by way of drones. Women groups will rent drone services to farmers for spraying nano fertilizers and pesticides.
Conclusion
The drone didi scheme aims to provide drones to 15,000 girls Self Help Groups (SHGs) for the duration of 2024-25 to 2025-2026 to give rental services to farmers for agriculture purposes. The scheme seeks to empower ladies’ Self Help Groups (SHGs) and produce new technologies through drone services in the agriculture sector. In the program, PM Modi additionally released an initiative to grow the range of Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which sell medicines at subsidized charges, from 10,000 to 25,000.
