New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a central scheme for providing drones to 15,000 women self help groups or SHGs, with an outlay of Rs 1,261 crore for two years beginning 2024-25 fiscal year. The government said that the scheme would help infusing advance technology in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhance crop yield and reduced cost of operation for the benefit of farmers.
Briefing the media information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur told reporters that the scheme aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected women SHGs during the period 2024-25 to 2025-2026 for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose. The decision in this regard was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday late evening.
As per an official statement, the government also said 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 1,00,000 per annum.
The scheme approves holistic interventions by converging the resources and efforts of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Department of Rural development (DoRD) and Department of Fertilizers (DoF), Women SHGs and Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs).
"Considering the difficulties which SHGs may face in procuring the drones, repair and maintenance of drones through drone companies, the LFCs will act as a bridge between drone supplier companies and SHGs," the statement added.
PM Modi had announced empowering SHGs with drone technology from the Red Fort in his Independence Day speech on August 15, while pitching for leveraging the potential of science and technology in rural development.
