AI, IoT and Drones in Indian Agriculture: Schemes and Subsidies
Why in the news
The Government is deploying AI, IoT and drones across schemes to lift crop output and farm incomes and to address pests and the small-farmer digital gap.
Key facts
- Kisan e-Mitra: voice AI chatbot, chiefly for PM-KISAN; 11 regional languages; 20,000+ queries daily; over 95 lakh answered.
- NPSS: AI and machine learning spot pests from photos; 61 crops, 400+ pests; 10,000+ extension workers use it.
- Satellite crop mapping: AI analytics on geo-tagged photos and satellite images for crop-weather monitoring and yield estimates.
Drone subsidy under SMAM
| Beneficiary | Support |
|---|---|
| ICAR, KVKs, SAUs, PSUs | 100%, up to ₹10 lakh per drone |
| FPOs (demos) | Up to 75% |
| Custom hiring centres | 40% (max ₹4 lakh); 50% (max ₹5 lakh) for agriculture graduates |
| Farmers: SC/ST, women, NE States, small and marginal | 50% (max ₹5 lakh) |
| Other farmers | 40% (max ₹4 lakh) |
Namo Drone Didi Scheme (2023-26)
- Central Sector Scheme, ₹1,261 crore, making women SHGs drone service providers.
- Target: 15,000 drones in three years; 80% subsidy (max ₹8 lakh).
- Loans via Agri Infra Financing carry 3% interest subvention.
- Progress: 1,094 drones given by fertilizer companies in 2023-24; 500 of them under this scheme.
Exam angle
- SMAM funds drone subsidies; Namo Drone Didi is 2023-26.
- Related terms: NPSS, PM-KISAN, FPO, SHG, KVK.