Hyderabad: A 15-day-long session would be held for self-help groups (SHGs) under the `Namo Drone Didi’ programme next year, to train women in the use of drones in agriculture like spraying nutrients, fertilisers and pesticides.
Drone pilot training would be provide to one of the selected SHGs, said Union minister G. Kishan Reddy. The nationwide programme would include state SHGs.
Talking to newsmen after providing 100 sewing machines free to women at Monda Market, at an event organised by the JCI Organisation, Kishan Reddy said that around 15,000 SHGs groups across the country will receive drones under the programme.
The selected SHGs are expected to generate an additional income of `1 lakh annually. They will be notified by district committees for participation.
The Modi government had approved the scheme with an outlay of `1,261 crore under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission, part of poverty alleviation programme by rural development ministry.
Kishan Reddy pointed out that the Centre was laying emphasis for empowerment of women through different schemes to empower them.
As the introduction of drones in agriculture is at a nascent stage, state governments will closely monitor the interventions, provide handholding support to the SHGs and help them in getting the business to cover an area of at least 2,500 acres in a year.
Kishan Reddy said that the skill development centres started by him, when he was serving as Amberpet MLA, had now spread to all Assembly segments in the Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency.
