Drone Didi Scheme: What is the Drone Didi Scheme that has given new life to thousands of women? Learn about the entire process
The Indian government’s Drone Didi Scheme has emerged as a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering rural women by integrating them into the fast-evolving field of drone technology. Designed to boost self-reliance and innovation in agriculture, the scheme provides women’s self-help groups (SHGs) with drones, training, and financial support to help them establish sustainable livelihoods.
A Life-Changing Journey in Punjab
One inspiring success story comes from Punjab’s Sangrur district, where Prabhjot Kaur, a resident of Panwa village, transformed her life through the Drone Didi initiative. With support from the Ummeed Foundation, she underwent drone pilot training in Gurugram and obtained an official license to operate agricultural drones.
Equipped with her drone, Prabhjot now assists farmers by spraying fertilizers and pesticides over their fields. She typically covers 10 to 15 acres of farmland daily and earns around ₹300 per acre. During peak crop seasons, her income reaches as high as ₹1 lakh, allowing her not only to become financially independent but also to serve as a role model for thousands of women across rural India.
How the Scheme Works
The Drone Didi Scheme focuses on equipping women with the skills and tools required to deploy drones in agriculture. Participants receive training in operating drones, managing agricultural spraying, and performing basic maintenance. Beyond training, the government also offers subsidies and loan facilities for purchasing drones, making it easier for women-led SHGs to enter this high-demand sector.
This initiative serves multiple purposes: it helps women become income earners, reduces their dependence on traditional wage labor, and introduces advanced technology into rural farming practices.
Benefits for Agriculture and Rural Communities
Drone-assisted spraying of fertilizers and pesticides offers significant advantages over manual methods. It saves both time and labor while ensuring more efficient coverage of farmland. Farmers can protect larger areas of crops in less time, which is particularly beneficial during pest outbreaks or when crops require immediate attention.
Prabhjot Kaur’s experience is proof of this efficiency. She has already used her drone across thousands of acres, helping local farmers boost productivity while reducing their workload. Her journey demonstrates how technology can strengthen women’s roles in agriculture and enhance the overall resilience of rural communities.
Social Impact Beyond Income
The Drone Didi Scheme is not just about financial gain. By empowering women with technical expertise, it is reshaping gender roles in traditionally male-dominated sectors. Women like Prabhjot are breaking stereotypes, inspiring other women to adopt modern tools, and improving their standing within their communities.
Arvind Khanna, founder of the Ummeed Foundation, emphasized that the scheme is designed to create employment opportunities for women while promoting innovation in agriculture. According to him, women trained under this initiative are contributing not just to their households but also to the modernization of Indian farming.
The Road Ahead
As more women join the scheme, its long-term benefits are expected to multiply. With government support, access to subsidies, and training facilities, the Drone Didi initiative could create a new generation of skilled women professionals in agriculture technology. For rural households, this means increased incomes, reduced drudgery, and greater economic stability.
For India’s agricultural sector, it marks a step toward embracing technology at the grassroots level. And for women, it opens doors to independence, respect, and leadership in their communities.
The Drone Didi Scheme thus represents much more than a government program—it is a movement toward inclusive growth, combining technology, empowerment, and social progress.
