How Drone Didis Are Bridging The Gap In Rural Agriculture In India

India is witnessing a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering rural women through the NAMO Drone Didi Scheme. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November, this scheme has equipped hundreds of women in various states with the skills to operate drones, transforming them into 'Drone Didis' or drone pilots, as per the Times of India report. These women are set to revolutionise agriculture by using drones to spray fertilisers and pesticides in fields across their districts.

In a particular instance, a serene wind of change is blowing through rural Bihar, powered by the ambitions and determination of women who were formerly confined to the domestic sphere. Using cutting-edge technology, these women are driving a radical shift in farming techniques while also ensuring the financial stability of their households.

Training and Vision Behind the 'Drone Didis'

The NAMO Drone Didi Scheme was executed following Prime Minister Modi's Independence Day speech, where he announced plans to train a minimum of 15,000 women as drone pilots. The primary objective is to reduce labour costs, save time and water, and empower women in rural areas. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to create two crore Lakhpati Didis, women from rural areas earning in lakhs, through self-help groups (SHGs).

Women from diverse backgrounds and educational qualifications have embraced the opportunity to become 'Drone Didis.' Organisations associated with the agricultural sector at the village level, such as Grant Thornton Bharat and Farmer Producers Organisation (FPO), played a crucial role in identifying and connecting these women with the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO).

Overcoming Challenges in Training

The selection process involved interviews to assess the candidates' basic knowledge of farming. Once selected, the women underwent theory classes, a challenge for those with limited educational backgrounds. Kiranpal Kaur, a trained drone pilot from Punjab, shared her experience of overcoming language barriers during training. The trainers, she noted, were supportive, translating materials into Hindi and Punjabi, ensuring everyone could grasp the essential concepts.

The 'Drone Didis' are not only gaining new skills but also changing their lives. Gurinder Kaur from Ludhiana expressed her excitement about the project and her husband's innovative plans to the Times of India. Zeenat Sharma, a postgraduate in microbiology from Himachal Pradesh, highlighted the determination of rural women and the inspirational atmosphere during the training, reported by The Indian Express.

Economic Impact and Financial Independence

As per estimates from IFFCO, these 'Drone Didis' could potentially earn at least Rs 7 lakh per annum, even with part-time work. Charging farmers Rs 300 per acre or more for their services, these women are set to make a significant impact on agricultural practices. IFFCO is providing drones and e-vehicles free of cost, a move that significantly reduces the financial burden on the women involved.

The 'Drone Didis' are poised to transform the agricultural landscape, travelling across their districts in e-vehicles, flying drones to spray fertiliser and pesticides. With the potential to benefit not only themselves but also the farming community and the nation's economy, these empowered women represent a vision of progress and gender inclusivity.

The NAMO Drone Didi Scheme stands as a testament to India's commitment to women's empowerment and technological advancement. These 'Drone Didis' are not just pilots; they are pioneers ushering in a new era of sustainable and efficient farming practices across the country.

Women Taking Flight

Meet Kajal Kumari, a resident of Mahima Gopinathpur panchayat under Motipur block in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar. From her early years, Kajal harboured a fascination for aviation, a passion she never had the opportunity to pursue. However, fate intervened with the launch of a pioneering training program by the Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) at Pusa. Through this initiative, Kajal found herself soaring through the skies, not in planes but with drones, fortifying crops on her farmland.

Under the government-backed 'Drone Didi' programme, Kajal is one of 43 women trained by RPCAU this year to operate fertilizer or pesticide-spraying drones. This initiative aims to modernize Indian farming, combating labour costs, saving precious time, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. 

“It takes at least 200 litres of water to spray an acre of farmland manually, while the same work can be done in just 10 litres of water through drone. Spraying by drone is both eco-friendly and cost-effective,” Kajal said in a statement, reported by TOI. 

For Kajal, flying drones isn't just a job; it's a source of empowerment. Since receiving her drone in March, Kajal's monthly earnings during the crop season have soared to an impressive Rs 50,000 to 75,000. Tasked with spraying fungicide on 'moong' crops, she efficiently covers acres in mere minutes, earning Rs 400 to 500 per acre. Beyond the financial gains, Kajal stresses the environmental benefits, highlighting how drone spraying conserves water, a scarce resource in farming.

Punam Gupta from Bansgaon village, Uttar Pradesh, echoes Kajal's sentiments. Armed with a licenced drone pilot certificate from RPCAU, Punam returns to her village, contributing not only to her family's income but also to her sense of pride.

 “My new occupation has not only become an additional source of income for my family but it has also instilled in me a sense of pride. I really feel very proud when someone calls me a pilot,” she said in an interview with TOI. With earnings averaging Rs 2000 per day, Punam's newfound occupation is an example to the transformative power of technology.

Kanchan Kumari of Rohtas and Arti Kumari of Nalanda, along with Sumitra of West Champaran, are among the growing cohort of 'Drone Didis' poised to revolutionize agricultural landscapes. With drones equipped to spray acres in mere minutes, these women are not just pilots; they are catalysts for change, driving socio-economic progress in their communities.

The stories of Kajal, Punam, and countless others like them underscore the transformative power of technology in rural India. As drones take flight over the vast expanses of farmland, they bring with them a promise of prosperity and progress. From saving water to enhancing productivity, the benefits of drone-assisted agriculture are manifold. As these ‘Drone Didis’ continue to soar to new heights, their journey serves as an inspiration to us all.