In last few years government of India has made ambitious efforts to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies into agriculture with two goals first one is solving age-old issues that farmers have been grappling with from climate unpredictability to infestations by pests and unlocking possibilities for rural entrepreneurship. Second is to improve farmers income which generally declines due to pests or climate unpredict Ness. number of schemes and initiatives like AI-based tools, IoT-based equipment and subsidized drones on a targeted basis are supplied to farmers thus transforming the agriculture sector and result is on visible on ground.
Revolutionizing Agriculture with AI: Precision, Prediction and Automation
Artificial intelligence technologies like precision agriculture make it possible for farmers to maximize yields and optimize use of resources. Satellite imaging, high-resolution sensor drones and geographic information systems assist in the tracking of crop health, soil moisture and nutrient levels in real time. These innovations enable farmers to irrigate their fields, use fertilizers and pesticides more effectively at a lower cost and to avoid environmental impact on farming pattern.
Computer vision driven by AI also assists farmers in identifying pests and weeds, allowing targeted herbicide application to save costs and to reduce environmental footprint. Machine learning through analysis of drone data or smartphone data supports the early detection of diseases and pests, protecting yield and lowering crop losses.
With increasingly frequent and intense weather patterns, predictive analytics supported by AI can also enable risk assessment and shifting plantation time, while automation and robotics can help in rural-urban migration-induced labour shortages. Self-driving tractors and drone’s plantation, scan and harvesting with little or no human intervention can be used through technology.
Government AI Policies in the Fields
One of the government’s unique initiatives is the ‘Kisan e-Mitra’ voice-based chatbot introduced to help farmers with questions regarding the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme and other government initiatives. Backed by 11 regional languages, the AI-based system now responds to more than 20,000 farmer queries every day, having answered over 95 lakh (9.5 million) questions till date.
At the same time, the impact of climate change on agriculture prompted another essential innovation: The National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS). This AI and Machine Learning-based tool enables extension agents and farmers to take a photo of pests in their fields, which the system identifies as infestations on 61 crops and 400+ species of pests. More than 10,000 agricultural extension agents currently use this system, making early interventions to minimize losses to crops.
Another revolutionary step involves the utilisation of AI-driven satellite imagery to track crops and correlate them with weather conditions. Such AI analytics facilitate the real-time crop monitoring and assist farmers in making decisions regarding sowing, irrigating and harvesting.
Subsidies and Support over the Scheme
The actual breakthrough, has been the use of drones in agriculture. Through the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), institutions such as ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and state agricultural universities are training the farmers through PSU and government helps where financial assistance up to Rs. 10 lakh per drone is provided by the government. For Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), 75 per cent of the cost of the Kisan drone is being subsidized to facilitate field demonstrations.
Support to rural entrepreneurs and agri-graduates has been extended by the government Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) under Cooperative society of Farmers. Cooperatives and FPO-led CHCs are given 40 per cent support (up to Rs. 4 lakh), while agri-graduates who set up CHCs can get a 50 per cent subsidy up to Rs. 5 lakhs. Even small farmers, especially those belonging to SC/ST, women and northeastern states, are given 50 per cent subsidies, so drone adoption is inclusive and universal.
Namo Drone Didi Scheme: Women Empowerment
Among the government’s most groundbreaking steps is the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ Central Sector Scheme launched in 2023 with a total fund of Rs. 1,261 crores, to be implemented over three years. The aim of this scheme is to train and empower women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) as drone service providers.
Under this program, Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) already disbursed 1,094 drones in FY 2023-24 out of their internal resources under Namo Drone Didi 500 drones have been distributed. The target of providing 14,500 drones, the government has taken intiative to provide an 80 per cent subsidy. The balance of remaining 20 per cent borne by SHGs themselves or at low-interest loans under the Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme, which provides 3 per cent interest subvention.
Ground Impact and Effectiveness Measured by Media Reports
Media outlets have widely reported the tangible impact of these efforts. Farmers in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district using drone-based pesticide spraying witnessed a 20–25% reduction in input costs and a 30% faster completion rate of spraying compared to manual methods. Another national media group reported how women-led drone teams in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have not only reduced operational farming cost but has also generated monthly incomes ranging from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 15,000 for SHG members.
In a story covered by Organiser, the local innovators from I3 supported by IIT BHU has been using advanced pests control units, drones and satellite imagery for supporting farming requirement in eastern part of Uttar Pradesh under their start up “Agrichikitsa.”
Analysis of the Data for SMAM and Namo Didi Drone Initiative
The status of drone distribution under governments schemes and the State-wise allocation of drones are done under two programs: the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) and the Namo Drone Didi scheme has been made, which will impart a better look of implementation and which states should be focused more so the agricultural transformation and yields in the crop to be increased with help of technology.
In total there are 2,622 approved or distributed drones in India, of which 2,122 are distributed through SMAM and 500 drones are distributed through the Namo Drone Didi scheme. This shows that although the SMAM covers more than 80% of the overall figures, the Namo scheme is becoming a complementary program, particularly where SMAM has high distribution rate.
Andhra Pradesh takes the lead with a whopping 1,475 drones under SMAM and 96 drones under Namo Drone Didi, making a total of 1,571 drones, almost 60% of the countrywide distribution. Then comes Madhya Pradesh with 334 drones and Uttar Pradesh with 190 drones, also reflecting high adoption levels. These states are seen to be actively utilizing central schemes for agricultural modernization with efficient mechanisms for distribution and usage.
A number of states such as Karnataka, Telangana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat did not receive any drones under SMAM but did get drones through drone distributions via the Namo Drone Didi initiative. For example, Telangana received 72 drones, most among Namo-only recipients. This indicates that although SMAM could be suffering from procedural or institutional constraints in certain areas, the Namo Drone Didi programme implemented to a large extent by Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and centrally managed by Lead Fertilizer Companies.
On the other side of the coin, other states like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Puducherry have very poor numbers, with fewer than 10 drones spread across each. This low number reflect low take-up of schemes, infrastructural issues or lack of awareness of these schemes in these states. Large agricultural states like Bihar and West Bengal also have poor figures, indicating room for further outreach and support for implementation.
States like Tamil Nadu (27 drones), Kerala (26) and Maharashtra (55) exhibits moderate approvals of both schemes. This indicates a balanced usage of AI & drone-based interventions in agriculture. Namo Drone Didi scheme presents focused, inclusive outreach, especially in states lacking coverage. This two-path of distribution system illustrates how centralized planning and local execution can be synchronized for the development of agricultural technology in different rural regions of India.
Looking Ahead for $5 Trillion Economy
The future of Indian agriculture linked to data, drones and digital empowerment. Around 55% of India’s working population still relies on agriculture, the modernization of agriculture is not only a technological imperative but it’s also a socio-economic imperative.
With the government speeding up initiatives such as the National Agri Stack and IoT-based smart irrigation expansion, AI will play an even larger role not just as a productivity booster but also as a support to farmers, policymakers and agri-businesses.
As India progresses towards a $5 trillion economy, these efforts could be the basis for a digitally empowered, climate-resilient agriculture sector, promoting women pilot for drones, AI combats pests and other services based on AI which would make India a prosperous and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
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