Something is changing in the skies ofNorthern rural India. Women, once relegated to housework, now rider agricultural dronestransforming not only the agricultural landscape, but also their role in society.
Since 2024, this revolution has taken and guided by the government program “Namo Drone Didi“, An ambitious initiative that aims to distribute 15,000 drones to female self-help groupsmodernizing agriculture and promoting women’s emancipation.
From homemade drivers’ housewives
Until a few years ago, the idea that women could afford to work outside the home, especially in the technological field, was inconceivable in many rural areas of India.
The rigid patriarcal rulesThey limited the opportunities for women, mostly confining them to domestic roles. But the “Namo Drone Didi” program is challenging these rules, offering women the possibility of becoming drones pilots, acquiring new skills and gaining dignified income.
A Group of Women in Rural India Has Found An Unexpected Path To Earn An Income and Some Independent: Operating Drones For Agricultural Use Such As Crop Spraying https://t.co/68G9wnhj4Y pic.twitter.com/xsw4m6olso
– Reuters Asia (@reutersia) March 6, 2025
Sharmila Yadavformer housewife and now drone pilot, he told the agency Reuters with pride it his transformation to Faridabadcity in northern India: “Before I was just a housewife, now they call me pilot. This work gave me a new identity and greater security in myself. ” Like Sharmila, hundreds of women are embracing this opportunity, becoming key figures in the agricultural sector and inspiring other women to do the same.
An innovative and profitable work
Piloting drones is not just an innovative job, but also profitable. Women participating in the program can earn up to 50,000 rupees (about 600 dollars) for the spraying of 150 acres of land in a few weeks, a significant amount that often exceeds double the average salary in rural areas. In addition, the program offers Free training and a subsidy up to 80% on the cost of the dronemaking this technology also accessible to women from disadvantaged contexts.
Rajbir Kauranother drone pilot, underlines the positive impact of the program on his family: “Thanks to this work, I can contribute to domestic expenses and guarantee my children a better future. I can afford to pay their education and give them opportunities that I have never had. “
Benefits for agriculture and the environment
The use of drones in agriculture not only benefits women, but also brings significant benefits to the entire sector. These devices allow to cover large areas of soil quickly and efficiently, reducing working times and costs. In addition, the precise spraying of pesticides and fertilizers Minimizes the waste of chemicalsreducing the environmental impact and improving the sustainability of agricultural practices.
But perhaps the most important aspect of the “Drone Didi” program is its impact on Indian society. The entry of women into the technological agricultural sector is challenging gender stereotypes and promoting a profound cultural change. Women who work as drones pilots are gaining respect for the community and showing that they are capable of carrying out non -traditional roles, contributing significantly to the economy and progress of the country.
Kumar yogenramarketing director of Iffcoone of the main manufacturers of fertilizers in India, underlines the importance of the program for female emancipation: “This program does not only concern work, but also the Empowerment and female entrepreneurship. Women are demonstrating they can be a leader in a constantly evolving sector. “
The future of the program
The Indian government, led by the Prime Minister Narendra modesexpressed a strong support for the “Drone Didi” program, recognizing its potential for transform agriculture And Promote gender equality. The goal is to make drones a fundamental tool in modern agriculture and ensure that more and more women have access to this profession.
