Karnataka has emerged as the leading State in training women self-help group members as drone pilots under the Namo Drone Didi Yojana. The initiative is designed to empower SHGs, improve agricultural efficiency, and support higher crop productivity through drone-based spraying of fertilisers and pesticides.
Karnataka Tops National Training List
Karnataka has trained 145 SHG members as drone pilots, the highest in the country. Uttar Pradesh follows with 128, while Andhra Pradesh has 108. Within Karnataka, Koppal district recorded the highest number of trained members at 13, followed by Kalaburagi with 12 and Mandya with 11. The figure shows the growing role of rural women in technology-enabled farm services.
Scheme Objectives and Coverage
The Namo Drone Didi Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of ₹1,261 crore for 2023-24 to 2025-26. It aims to provide 15,000 agricultural drones to selected women SHGs across the country. The scheme is intended to move SHGs beyond traditional home-based activities and into higher-value service roles in agriculture.
Training and Employment Potential
A total of 1,094 SHG members have been trained as drone pilots in India. In 2023, 1,094 drones were distributed to SHGs by lead fertiliser companies using internal resources, including 500 under the NDDY. Training is provided through Remote Pilot Training Organisations. The package includes 15 days of drone pilot training for one SHG member and five days of drone assistant training for another member or family member.
Rural Income and Agricultural Use
Trained women are already using drones for spraying medicines and crop inputs in maize and paddy fields. The work offers seasonal income opportunities and reduces manual labour in farming. The initiative also supports precision agriculture, which can improve input efficiency, reduce wastage, and enhance yields.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026