Tamil Nadu Launches Vetri Vaanmagal Drone Training Scheme

Tamil Nadu announced the Vetri Vaanmagal scheme on 6 August 2026 in the 2026-27 Agriculture Budget. The scheme is designed to train women farmers in operating agricultural drones and to support drone pilot licensing in the state.

Scheme Features

The Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, R. Vinoth, introduced the initiative for women farmers and other eligible participants. The programme will train 500 individuals, including 100 women, in drone operations and will assist them in obtaining drone pilot licences.

Funding and Training Structure

The state government has allocated Rs 1.50 crore for drone training under the scheme. Training will be conducted through the Remote Pilot Training Organisation of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, which functions as a state agricultural institution in Tamil Nadu. An additional Rs 2.50 crore has been earmarked from state funds to provide drones at a 50% subsidy to 50 trained women. The scheme links skill training with equipment support for agricultural use.

Women in Agriculture and Drone Use

Agricultural drones are used for spraying, monitoring, mapping, and precision farming applications. The scheme is linked to women’s participation in the rural economy and to technology-based farm operations in Tamil Nadu. The United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The Vetri Vaanmagal scheme uses the “Vetri” prefix, which is also used in several Tamil Nadu welfare programmes.

Important Facts for Exams

• Tamil Nadu is a southern Indian state with Chennai as its capital.
• Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is a major agricultural university in Coimbatore.
• A drone pilot licence is issued under civil aviation rules for remote aircraft operations.
• Agricultural drones are part of precision agriculture, which uses technology for farm management.

Policy Context

The scheme is part of a state-level effort to expand skill-based support in agriculture. It combines training, licensing assistance, and subsidised equipment for women farmers.