Rural Revival: Maharashtras 500-Crore Namo Drone Didi Initiative Empowers Women Farmers With Revolutionary

Maharashtra’s ambitious ‘Namo Drone Didi’ initiative aims to revolutionize agriculture and empower rural women by harnessing the power of drone technology. As part of its 2024-25 budget, the state government has allocated ₹500 crore to provide drones to 325 Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), equipping them with tools and training needed to optimize farming efficiency and generate additional income through Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS).

The program is a significant step toward modernizing agriculture in Maharashtra, a major agricultural hub in India. By deploying drones for tasks such as spraying fertilizers and pesticides, farmers can minimize resource waste while boosting crop yields. The initiative’s focus on precision farming aligns with the state’s broader strategy to leverage technology for sustainable agriculture.

To support this endeavor, the government has offered an 80% subsidy on drone purchases, covering up to ₹8 lakh (approximately $9,600) per drone. Financial assistance of up to ₹60,000 (approximately $700) will be provided to each SHG, enabling women to become certified drone operators and generate a new source of income.

Prem Kumar, CEO & Co-Founder of Marut Drones, emphasized the initiative’s potential impact: “The ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme is transformative toward modernizing agriculture and empowering rural women. By distributing drones to 325 SHGs, Maharashtra will optimize resource use, boost productivity, and create a skilled workforce in agricultural drone operations.”

With this scheme, Maharashtra aims to enhance farming efficiency while providing rural women with an opportunity for financial independence and entrepreneurship. Selected SHGs will receive structured training, enabling them to offer Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) to farmers.

The government’s national strategy to integrate advanced technology into agriculture while promoting women’s economic empowerment is evident in this program. The Indian government has allocated ₹500 crore from 2024-25 to 2025-26 for initiatives like ‘Namo Drone Didi’, with a goal of providing drones to 15,000 SHGs during this period.

As Maharashtra embarks on this ambitious project, it sets a precedent for other states to adopt similar strategies. By leveraging drone technology in agriculture, the state is poised to increase efficiency, reduce operational costs, and create new job opportunities in rural areas.

This initiative has far-reaching implications for India’s agricultural sector and women’s economic empowerment. Maharashtra’s ‘Namo Drone Didi’ program showcases the potential of drone technology to transform farming practices while promoting women’s empowerment, an exemplary model for India’s agricultural sector.