Farmers in Bhagthala Khurd (Faridkot), Kapurthala, and Amritsar are using drones for pesticide and fertiliser application. Under the NAMO Drone Didi scheme, 93 out of 100 drones provided by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO)  are operational, each costing Rs 16 lakh with a 12-litre tank.  

NAMO Drone Didi Scheme

The NAMO Drone Didi Scheme, launched by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is designed to empower rural women by training them to become drone pilots for agricultural tasks.

• Objective: The primary objective of this initiative is to enhance the economic empowerment and financial autonomy of women, particularly those involved in Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The scheme aims to equip 15,000 women-led SHGs with drones that can be used for crop monitoring, spraying fertilizers, and sowing seeds, thereby providing additional income opportunities.
• Government Support and Financial Benefits: To support these women, the Indian government offers substantial benefits under the NAMO Drone Didi Scheme. An 80% subsidy on the cost of drones, up to a maximum of Rs. 8 lakh, is provided to the SHGs. Additionally, the remaining cost can be financed through loans available under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), with a nominal interest rate of 3%.
• Training and Income Opportunities: The scheme also includes comprehensive training for women to operate drones effectively. These drones can be rented out to farmers, offering SHGs an opportunity to earn an additional income of Rs. 1 lakh per year.

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Why Does the Need of Drones Arise?

• Labour Intensity: Traditional manual application of pesticides and fertilisers is labour-intensive and time-consuming.
• Inconsistent Coverage: Manual methods often lead to uneven application, impacting crop yields. Drones ensure more consistent coverage.

Benefits of Drone Usage

• Protecting farmers from pesticide: Manual pesticide application is labour-intensive and exposes workers to harmful chemicals. Prolonged contact with pesticides and chemical fertilisers harms farmers’ health. Drones complete pesticide application in 5-7 minutes per acre compared to hours manually. 
  • Issues in Punjab: Higher rates of cancer, kidney ailments, immunological disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and infertility linked to pesticide use.
    • Drone Advantage: Reduces direct contact with harmful chemicals, protecting farmers’ health.
• More Efficient Application:  Manual spraying often misses parts of the crop, affecting yields. Drones provide more uniform application, improving crop health and yields. They are effective in addressing pest infestations and can cover large areas quickly in emergencies.
  • Drones also address the challenges associated with the application of nano fertilizers, such as nano urea and nano DAP, which are cost-efficient and environmentally friendly but require uniform application in very small quantities. Traditional methods often fail to achieve this uniformity, limiting the widespread use of these fertilizers. However, drones ensure a more consistent application, enhancing the effectiveness of nano fertilizers.
• Crop Monitoring and Emergency Applications: Beyond pesticide application, drones are instrumental in crop monitoring and emergency responses. They can capture real-time images of fields, allowing farmers to monitor crop health and intervene promptly if issues arise. This capability is crucial in combating pest infestations such as the pink bollworm, which has severely impacted cotton crops in Punjab. 
• Environmental Benefits: Up to 90% of nutrients from nano fertilisers are absorbed by plants, reducing runoff and pollution. Drones reduce soil pollution and water usage by up to 90% compared to traditional methods.

Challenges

• Impact on Employment and Labor Costs: While drones offer significant advantages in terms of efficiency and cost savings, their adoption in agriculture raises concerns about the potential loss of jobs traditionally held by laborers. Drones can cover an acre of land for pesticide application at approximately Rs 200, compared to Rs 300 per acre when done manually by laborers.
• Need for Training and Support for Drone Pilots: The effective use of drones in agriculture also hinges on the availability of skilled drone pilots. Proper training is essential to ensure that pilots can cover entire fields efficiently while spraying fertilizers and pesticides. This requires significant investment in training programs, which must equip farmers or designated operators with the necessary skills to operate drones safely and effectively.

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Conclusion

The use of drones in agriculture highlights their transformative potential, providing precise monitoring, pesticide application, and data collection. Drones enhance efficiency and reduce costs, benefiting small and marginal farmers. However, challenges like regulation, high costs, and training need to be addressed for widespread adoption.

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