CHANDIGARH: Giving more wings to women empowerment, the Haryana government will train 5,000 women associated with 500 self-help groups (SHGs) to operate drones under the central government’s Namo Drone Didi scheme. The initiative aims to introduce advanced technology into farming, making agriculture easier and more profitable for women. According to officials, this initiative is expected to generate an additional income of at least Rs 1 lakh per year for each SHG.
Under this scheme, each selected SHG will receive a drone, helping the Drone Didis spray pesticides, fertilisers, and seeds on fields, reducing labour costs, and saving time and water. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously announced that 15,000 women across India would be trained as “Drone Didis” to modernise agriculture.
Nisha Rani, a Drone Didi from Khizrabad, Yamunanagar, who was among the 70 women trained in the first batch in January last year, said, “We have started an awareness campaign to encourage others to adopt these techniques. There is a need to promote this initiative among farmers so they can embrace this technology.”
Some rural women in the state had already begun using drones for farming services, travelling from village to village to assist farmers. Inspired by their success, Haryana has now launched its own training programme. The state government has assigned the Haryana Skill Development Mission to instruct district officials to identify eligible women for the training. In Karnal district, for instance, 25 SHGs have already been selected, and training is expected to begin soon.
According to officials associated with the project, the training is being organised by Drone Imaging and Information Service of Haryana Limited (DRIISHYA) free of cost. A group of around 20 women will be trained each week.
Phool Kumar, Chief Operating Officer of DRIISHYA, said that the programme would not only make women financially independent but also create new job opportunities for them. Officials added that after training, the state government would further support the women by providing drones at an 80% subsidy, up to a maximum cost of Rs 8 lakhs. The remaining amount could be covered through loans, with the government paying the interest for the first year. After the training, Drone Didis could earn Rs 1 lakh per year by renting out drone services to farmers.
Early trials have already shown success, with a group of women completing their training and using drones in agriculture.
Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana told the TSG, “The Namo Drone Didi scheme is a historic step in women empowerment by creating an additional source of income.”
He added that the state government and agriculture department are ready to provide any assistance to make the Drone Didis financially independent and fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of creating 3 crore lakhpati didis in the country.