India has always been an agricultural country, and most of its people depend on farming for their livelihood. However, farming is not easy work. It needs a lot of physical effort, time, and the use of modern technology. To help farmers, especially women in rural areas, the Government of India has started a new and powerful program called the Drone Didi Scheme. This scheme is designed to empower women by providing them training and opportunities to use drones in agriculture. Let’s understand how this scheme is changing the lives of women and the future of Indian farming.
What is the Drone Didi Scheme?
The Drone Didi Scheme is an initiative launched by the Government of India under the Prime Minister’s vision of women empowerment and modern farming. The main idea of the scheme is to train rural women in operating drones for agricultural purposes such as spraying fertilizers, pesticides, and monitoring crops.
Through this scheme, women’s self-help groups (SHGs) are given financial help to buy drones, and they receive proper training on how to use them safely and effectively. The aim is to make women “Drone Didis,” meaning women who are skilled in drone technology and can earn income through it.
Main Objectives of the Scheme
- Empowering Rural Women:
The biggest goal of the Drone Didi Scheme is to make rural women financially independent. By learning to operate drones, they can start their own services or get jobs in the agricultural sector. - Modernizing Agriculture:
The government wants to make Indian farming more advanced. Drones help farmers save time, reduce costs, and improve productivity. - Creating Employment:
Through this scheme, new job opportunities are being created in villages for women who were earlier limited to household work or traditional farming tasks. - Encouraging Digital India:
Drones are a part of modern technology, and by teaching women to use them, the scheme helps in promoting the Digital India Mission in rural areas.
How the Scheme Works
Under the Drone Didi Scheme, the government provides both financial support and technical training. Here’s how it works:
- Selection of Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs):
Women’s groups from different villages are selected and encouraged to participate. - Drone Purchase Support:
Each SHG receives a subsidy or financial aid to purchase drones. The cost of one agricultural drone is usually between ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. - Training and Certification:
Women are given professional training to operate drones safely. They are taught how to spray fertilizers, check crop health, and handle minor repairs. - Earning Opportunity:
Once trained, the “Drone Didis” can offer drone services to farmers on rent and earn income. This not only helps women but also benefits the entire farming community.
Benefits of the Drone Didi Scheme
- Financial Independence for Women:
Women who once depended on their families for income can now earn by providing drone services in agriculture. - Time-Saving for Farmers:
Using drones helps farmers spray pesticides or fertilizers quickly over large fields, saving a lot of time. - Improved Crop Monitoring:
Drones can capture images from the air, helping farmers monitor crop growth and identify problem areas like pest attacks or water shortage. - Less Use of Chemicals:
Drones allow precise spraying, which means only the needed amount of pesticide or fertilizer is used, protecting soil and the environment. - Encouragement for Technology Use:
Rural women learning and using drones break the stereotype that technology is only for men or city people.
Government Support and Implementation
The government has set a target to train around 15,000 women Drone Didis across the country. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, along with other departments, is implementing this program.
Financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh per drone is being provided to SHGs under different agricultural schemes. Apart from this, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and agriculture universities are helping in the training process.
Challenges and Future Opportunities
While the Drone Didi Scheme is an excellent step toward progress, it also faces some challenges. Many rural areas still lack internet connectivity and proper training centers. Also, some women may find it difficult initially to operate drones due to lack of experience or fear of technology.
However, as more women get trained and share their success stories, the interest and confidence among others will grow. In the future, Drone Didis can even expand their work beyond agriculture — such as in mapping, disaster management, and delivery services.
Real Change on the Ground
In some states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, the Drone Didi Scheme has already started showing results. Many women have become experts in drone operation and are earning up to ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per month by providing services to farmers. These women have become role models in their villages, inspiring others to learn and grow.
Conclusion
The Drone Didi Scheme is not just about technology; it is about transformation. It brings together two powerful ideas — women empowerment and modern agriculture. By training women to become Drone Didis, the government is opening new doors of opportunity in rural India.