Government Advances Agricultural Transformation through Updated DBT 2.0 and NaMo Drone Didi Platform
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare recently organised a national workshop to introduce Version 2.0 of the Centralised Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Platform, accompanied by the unveiling of crop-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for drone-based nutrient application. The workshop, held on July 8, 2025, attracted officials from several states, who gathered to review the upgraded platforms and share feedback.
The highlight of the workshop was the NaMo Drone Didi Yojana, a flagship initiative aimed at empowering rural women by training members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to operate agricultural drones. The Yojana, a women-centric initiative, focuses on empowering SHG members to use drones for spraying fertilizers and pesticides.
During the workshop, live demonstrations of both the DBT Platform 2.0 and the Drone Didi portal were showcased. Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, DA&FW, inaugurated the event and unveiled the crop-specific SOPs. These SOPs aim to provide scientific guidance and uniformity in drone operations across the country, ensuring safe, efficient, and uniform use of drones in agriculture.
The Drone Portal, part of the broader NaMo Drone Didi Yojana, was presented to states for review. The portal features real-time tracking of drone operations, pilot training modules, and certification management. A comprehensive dashboard allows all stakeholders to monitor activities and ensure accountability.
The improved systems are anticipated to enhance service delivery for small and marginal farmers, addressing long-standing challenges such as subsidy delays and manual processing bottlenecks. The upgraded platforms are expected to promote greater participation of women in modern agricultural practices through the NaMo Drone Didi Yojana, opening up new livelihood opportunities.
The SOPs, published for the first time on July 9, 2025, at 04:45 IST, provide detailed scientific guidelines for the application of fertilizers and pesticides via drone technology. While specific guidelines for the application of these chemicals under the NaMo Drone Didi Yojana are not detailed in the search results, recent developments suggest that they might be available through these digital platforms.
Dr. Chaturvedi highlighted the role of digital platforms in driving transparency and efficiency in agricultural subsidy distribution. The NaMo Drone Portal, along with the new Drone Didi portal, is a testament to this commitment. The initiatives aim to address the growing need for precision agriculture, a crucial step towards modernising and streamlining agricultural practices in India.
State officials shared feedback and field experiences, which the Ministry said would be instrumental in refining the systems and ensuring smoother implementation of agricultural mechanisation schemes. The workshop provided state officials with a hands-on understanding of the improved user interface and workflow of the DBT Platform 2.0 and the Drone Didi portal.
In conclusion, the NaMo Drone Didi Yojana is a significant step forward in empowering rural women and modernising agricultural practices in India. The unveiling of crop-specific SOPs and the upgraded digital platforms mark a new era in agricultural technology and women's empowerment in the country.
The NaMo Drone Didi Yojana, a key initiative in agricultural technology, is focused on empowering rural women by training Self-Help Group (SHG) members to operate agricultural drones for spraying fertilizers and pesticides. The Drone Portal, part of this Yojana, offers real-time tracking of drone operations, training modules, and certification management, aiming to enhance service delivery for small and marginal farmers and promote women's participation in modern agricultural practices.
