The landscape is changing; women in India now hold drone remotes, not just kitchen tools. They're stepping into the agritech scene to ensure the new dimensions in farming. The Namo Drone Didi scheme, initiated by PM Modi, aspires to empower rural women with drones, presenting them with remarkable job opportunities. A cohort of these women is already earning a stable income as Drone Didis in their communities.
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute in Delhi hosted an event on Monday where women from across 10 locations engaged in the Empowered Women Shaping Future India program, becoming adept at handling agricultural drones. PM Modi empowered Namo Drone Didis nationwide with 1000 drones, with 104 in Prayagraj alone receiving specialized training.
What is the Namo Drone Didi Scheme?
The program equips women with skills in flying drones, analyzing data, and maintaining them. It's designed to train them in various agricultural tasks through drone tech like crop monitoring, pesticide spraying, and seed sowing trainings.
How are Namo Drone Didis Selected?
The government launched the scheme in November 2023, aiming to create over 15,000 Drone Didis from self-help group members. To qualify, one must be an active member of such a group and an Indian citizen aged between 18 to 37 years.
Required Documents for the Program
The scheme is for self-help group women only, providing a 15-day drone operation training. Drone Didis will receive a monthly salary of ₹15,000. Training will be conducted cluster-wise, covering 10-15 villages, with salaries transferred directly into their bank accounts through DBT. These documents are necessary to avail of the benefits:
Aadhaar Card
Local Resident Certificate
PAN Card
Phone Number
Email ID
Passport Size Photo
Self-Help Group ID Card
