Pune: The ambitious ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to empower women through self-help groups, has encountered setbacks in Maharashtra.
Out of 60 self-help groups that received drones under the initiative, 17 groups were supplied drones by Garuda Aerospace, a Chennai-based company. However, several beneficiaries have raised concerns over substandard batteries, frequent malfunctions, and lack of service support.
The ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme, announced on November 28, 2023, aims to distribute 15,000 drones to self-help groups across India between 2023-24 and 2025-26. The central government has earmarked ₹1,261 crore for the project, with leading fertilizer companies tasked with providing drones at their own expense.
Operational Challenges and Service Delays
During 2023-24, a total of 1,094 drones were distributed nationwide, with 60 drones allocated to Maharashtra. Of these, 17 drones were supplied by Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF), which procured them from Garuda Aerospace. Despite initial training sessions, practical demonstrations were delayed, and users soon encountered significant battery-related issues.
Additionally, since no extra batteries were supplied, women must frequently pause operations and return home to recharge, disrupting their workflow. When drones malfunction, repairs are delayed due to the absence of service centers in Maharashtra. Attempts to contact the company’s Chennai office have also been hindered by language barriers.
The Union Ministry of Agriculture had set up a dedicated ‘Namo Drone Didi’ portal, but it does not provide information about the selected self-help groups. While authorities had promised drone service centers in Maharashtra, no concrete details have been shared.
Sandeep Kesarkar, Senior Officer, RCF stated, "Several Drone Didis are utilizing the drones efficiently, but some have faced issues. Battery problems do exist, and reaching the company is difficult. To minimize disruptions, self-help groups should consider purchasing additional batteries for uninterrupted operations."
Ganesh Thorat, Co-Founder of Cerebrospark Innovations, stated, "Policymakers must prioritize performance standards for government-subsidized drones. Battery life, payload, and durability are the key drone features that matter for farmers. While training and after-sales support should be a priority, we need stronger quality regulations in agricultural drones for sustainable farming."