- By Imran Zafar
- Wed, 29 Nov 2023 02:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Central Sector Scheme to provide drones to 15,000 Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) for offering rental services to farmers for agriculture purposes. The scheme, with an outlay of Rs 1261 crore, aims to empower women SHGs and bring technologies in the agriculture sector.
The scheme will provide Central Financial Assistance of up to Rs eight lakh per drone to the women SHGs, who can also avail interest subvention on loans under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF). The women SHGs will be selected from appropriate clusters where the usage of drones is economically feasible.
The scheme will cover the period from 2023-24 to 2025-26 and the scheme will approve holistic interventions by converging the resources and efforts of various departments including Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Department of Rural Development (DoRD) and Department of Fertilizers (DoF), Women SHGs and Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs), a statement by the Centre said.
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The LFCs will also promote the use of Nano Fertilizers such as Nano Urea and Nano DAP by the drones. SHGs will rent out drone services to the farmers for Nano fertilizer and also for pesticide applications.
The scheme will also provide training to the members of the women SHGs as drone pilots and technicians. The scheme is aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will help in enhancing crop yield, reducing cost of operation and provide sustainable livelihood support to 15,000 SHGs.