Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the Pradhan Mantri Mahila Kisan Drone Kendra, a scheme that will provide drones to 15,000 women Self Help Groups (SHGs) across India over the next three years. The scheme aims to infuse advanced technology into agriculture.
PM Modi also interacted with the beneficiaries of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra via video conferencing. During the virtual interaction, Komlapati Venkata Ravnamma, a member of an SHG from Andhra Pradesh, shared her experience as a trained drone pilot for agricultural purposes, highlighting the positive impact on water management and time-saving.
The Pradhan Mantri Mahila Kisan Drone Kendra initiative, announced in his Independence Day speech by Modi, signifies a move towards infusing advanced technology in agriculture, enhancing efficiency, increasing crop yield, and reducing operational costs for farmers. The scheme is set to provide sustainable business and livelihood support to 15,000 SHGs, aiming for an additional income of at least ₹1 lakh per annum for each group member.
The decision was approved at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur provided more information about the decision during a media interaction on Wednesday.
SHGs will be carefully selected from the network of 89 lakh SHGs formed under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana. This selection process will prioritize clusters where drone usage is economically feasible and has the potential to generate substantial benefits for farmers, Thakur said.
Under the scheme, the Central Government will provide 80% financial assistance to the selected SHGs to cover the cost of drones and accessories. Each drone and its accompanying equipment cost approximately ₹10 lakh. The Government’s contribution will amount to up to ₹8 lakh per drone.
Approximately 500 drones will be donated by fertilizer companies, while the remaining 14,500 will be provided through central government assistance over the next two years. Drone pilots will receive an honorarium of ₹15,000, while co-pilots will receive ₹10,000.
A suitably qualified SHG member aged 18 or above will be chosen for a 15-day training program, consisting of five days of mandatory drone pilot training and an additional ten days of specialized training for agricultural nutrient and pesticide application. Another group member will be selected for training as a technician or assistant.
The scheme’s financial allocation amounts to ₹1,261 crore for the two years beginning 2024-25.
