Parliament Question: High Value Crops and Namo Drone Didi Scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3813 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11TH AUGUST, 2026 HIGH VALUE CROPS AND NAMO DRONE DIDI SCHEME

3813. DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी

be pleased to state:

(a) the policy strategies devised to increase the productivity yields of Indian high-value agriculture crops such as cashew, cocoa, and nuts to transform them into global premium brands;

(b) the deployment progress of the Namo Drone Didi scheme, including the number of agricultural drones successfully distributed to women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the country, State-wise; and

(c) the specific number of women SHGs trained under the Namo Drone Didi scheme in Tamil Nadu, and the funds provided to expand the Tamil Nadu Millet Mission to boost climate-resilient farming? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has been implementing the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) since 2014–15 to promote the area, production and productivity of high-value horticultural crops including cashew, cocoa and nut crops. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided for key interventions such as establishment & upgradation of nurseries, area expansion with normal & high density, rejuvenation of senile orchards, adoption of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) & Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and post- harvest management including processing, marketing and branding.

Further, the MIDH Operational Guidelines were revised in 2025, with enhanced cost norms and expanded support for horticultural crops, including cashew, cocoa and nuts to encourage area expansion, improve productivity and promote the adoption of improved production technologies. Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Directorate of CashewResearch (ICAR–DCR), Puttur is engaged in development of cashew production technologies through improved varieties, pest and disease management and high-density planting. Some of the varieties developed by ICAR-DCR, Puttur are Nethra Ganga, Nethra Jumbo-1, Nethra Ubhaya and Nethra Jumbo-2. ICAR–Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR–CPCRI), Kasaragod enhances the productivity, quality, and utilization of cocoa through varietal development, technology transfer and capacity building programme.

Some of the varieties developed by this institute are cocoa Hybrids-(VTLCH 1 to 5) and selections (VTLCS 1 and 2). ICAR–Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (ICAR–CITH) also promotes climate-resilient and sustainable production of temperate nuts through quality planting materials, improved technologies and value chain development.

(b): Under Namo Drone Didi Scheme, Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) were mandated to procure the first batch of drones for distribution to selected Self Help Groups (SHGs). As per information received from the Department of Fertilizers, 1,094 drones have been distributed to Drone Didis of SHGs during 2023-24. All beneficiaries have undergone training through Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) authorized Remote Pilot Training Organizations (RPTOs). The State wise details of SHGs who have been provided drones under Namo Drone Didi Yojana are given at Annexure.

(c): 44 Namo Drone Didis have been trained in the State of Tamil Nadu, and drones have been distributed to all 44 trained beneficiaries.

The Tamil Nadu Millet Mission is a State Government programme for promotion of millet cultivation in the State. As reported by State of Tamil Nadu, 26 potential districts have been grouped into two special zones for effective implementation of millet development activities. Mission aims to increase area, production and productivity of millets. From 2023– 24 to 2025–26, expenditure of ₹164.73 crore has been incurred against approved outlay of ₹178.49 crore. The Mission has benefited about 10.17 lakh farmers through interventions aimed at promoting millet cultivation and strengthening climate-resilient agricultural practices.

For 2026-27, Rs. 4394.197 lakhs (Central share+ State share) have been approved under National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM)-Nutri-cereals (Shree Anna) for the state of Tamil Nadu.Annexure State wise details of SHGs who have been provided drones under Namo Drone Didi Yojana Sr. No State Name No. of SHGs provided with the Drones

1. Andhra Pradesh 108

2. Assam 28

3. Bihar 32

4. Chhattisgarh 15

5. Goa 1

6. Gujarat 58

7. Haryana 102

8. Himachal Pradesh 4

9. J&K 2

10. Jharkhand 15

11. Karnataka 145

12. Kerala 51

13. Madhya Pradesh 89

14. Maharashtra 60

15. Odisha 16

16. Punjab 57

17. Rajasthan 40 18 Tamil Nadu 44

19. Telangana 81

20. Uttar Pradesh 128

21. Uttarakhand 3

22. West Bengal 15 Total 1094 ******