Cabinet approves Rs 1,261 cr scheme to provide drones to 15,000 women SHGs for 2 years

The Union Cabinet has approved Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to 15,000 progressive women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs 1,261 crore for two years beginning 2024-25. “The scheme aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected Women SHGs during the period 2023-24 to 2025-2026 for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told reporters on Wednesday. The decision in this regard was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. The women SHGs will be identified from the total 89 lakh SHGs formed under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, Thakur said. In various states, appropriate clusters where usage of drones is economically feasible will be identified and progressive 15,000 women SHGs will be selected for providing drones, the government said in a release. A central financial assistance at 80 per cent of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary charges of up to Rs 8,00,000 will be provided to women SHGs for purchase of drones. The Cluster Level Federation (CLFs) of SHGs may raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as loan under the National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF). Interest subvention of 3 per cent on the AIF loan will be provided. During the Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Thakur said: “Around 500 drones will be provided by fertiliser companies. The rest 14,500 drones will be made available through the central assistance in the next two years.” The total expense of a drone and its accessories is about Rs 10 lakh. About 80 per cent of the cost or up to Rs 8 lakh, will be provided by the Centre, the minister added. Thakur further said the drone pilot will get an honorarium of Rs 15,000 and a co-pilot about Rs 10,000. For use of drones, a cluster of 10-15 villages will be formed and about 1,000 hectare land will be available for drone operation. The importance will be given for commercial crops, he added. According per the statement by the Union Cabinet, one of the members of women SHGs who is well qualified, 18 and above years of age will be elected for a 15-day training, comprising five-day mandatory drone pilot training and additional 10-day training for agriculture purpose of nutrient and pesticide application. The other member / family member of the SHG with inclination to take up repairs of electrical goods, fitting and mechanical works will be selected for training as drone technician/assistant. These training will be provided as a package along with the supply of drones. Considering the difficulties which SHGs may face in procuring the drones and their repair and maintenance, the lead fertiliser companies (LFCs) will act as a bridge between drone supplier companies and SHGs. LFCs will also promote use of nano-fertilizers by drones among SHGs. SHGs will rent out the drone services to farmers for nano-fertilizers and also for pesticide applications, the statement added. “It is envisaged that the approved initiatives under the scheme will provide sustainable business and livelihood support to 15,000 SHGs and they would be able to earn additional income of at least Rs one lakh per annum,” the statement read. “The scheme will help infusing advance technology in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhance crop yield and reduced cost of operation for the benefit of farmers,” it further said. In his Independence Day speech on 15 August from the Red Fort, PM Modi had announced empowering SHGs with drone technology, while pitching for leveraging the potential of science and technology in rural development.