Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has stated that the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme, launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to promote women empowerment, is emerging as a model initiative for rural women. By linking women with modern drone technology, the scheme is playing a significant role in promoting self-reliance among them.
In Madhya Pradesh, 89 rural women have so far received successful training as drone pilots, fostering confidence and economic independence among them. The ‘Namo Drone Didis’ are earning regular incomes by providing services such as spraying fertilisers and pesticides in agricultural fields.
Under the scheme, beneficiaries receive a subsidy of 80 per cent of the total cost of drone purchase, with the women beneficiary contributing only Rs 50,000. This has enabled women not only to increase their incomes but also to provide farmers with affordable services that save time and labour.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the state has set a target to provide drone training and drones to more than 1,000 women under the scheme. By spraying fertilisers and pesticides using advanced technology, Namo Drone Didis are helping enhance crop productivity while reducing operational costs. The initiative is strengthening the rural economy and opening up new livelihood opportunities for women.
Experiences of Namo Drone Didis: How Drones Changed Their Lives
A resident of village Gokalpur, Smt. Sapna Kachhi formed the Om Shanti Om Self-Help Group with women from her village. She received training in tailoring, agriculture, and drone piloting. With financial assistance under the Chief Minister’s Economic Welfare Scheme, she purchased a sewing machine, and with support from the Community Investment Fund, she bought a cow. Her monthly income from vegetable cultivation, tailoring, and dairy rose to Rs 20,000–22,000. After adopting drone technology, her income increased further. By spraying over 1,200 acres, she earned ₹2.86 lakh through drone services alone, raising her monthly income to Rs 30,000–35,000.
Smt. Kavita Chauhan began her journey with the Sant Sevalal Self-Help Group in Revapur village. She earned ₹18,000–20,000 per month through an online shop before receiving Namo Drone training in Gwalior and becoming a Drone Didi. By spraying more than 2,500 acres, she earned over ₹7.68 lakh. Meeting and interacting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the event held at Jamboree Maidan in Bhopal on 31 May 2025 remains the most memorable moment of her life.
A member of the Nav Durga Self-Help Group, Sushri Priyanka, received a free drone from IFFCO, while a farmer, Shri Sanjay Gurjar, also received a drone. Together, they are earning good incomes by spraying nano urea and other agricultural inputs at a rate of ₹300 per acre.
Sushri Vandana Kevat said that after receiving a drone under the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme, she carried out spraying operations on the fields of 450 farmers. This ensured savings in both time and cost, along with uniform and effective spraying. So far, she has earned Rs 6.05 lakh. She expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Dr. Yadav for the initiative.
Sushri Sangeeta stated that she is a Board Member of ‘Atmanirbhar Mahila Farmer Producer Company Limited’, formed in 2021 under Prime Minister Shri Modi’s 10,000 FPO Scheme. Around 2,000 farmers are shareholders in the company, which supplies seeds, fertilisers, medicines, and ‘Didi Sudana’ cattle feed. The company has achieved a turnover of Rs 6.03 crore and recorded a profit of ₹4.5 lakh. She expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Modi, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, and the Rural Livelihood Mission.
The ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme is expanding rapidly in Madhya Pradesh and is set to benefit many more women in the coming times.
