Priyanka Tiwari
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A group of women in rural India has found a new means of earning an income and gaining independence through the use of drones for agricultural activities such as crop spraying.
The Agriculture Ministry reported in parliament in December that 500 drones had been distributed under the initiative named "Drone Didi" or "Drone Sikharis," which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in 2023.
The initiative aims at increasing drone coverage in self-help women groups by giving them drones to provide agricultural services for Indian women’s pillars of sustainability to maximize economic development while uplifting their societal status. The goal is to cover 15,000 devices.
Rupinder Kaur from Punjab, known as the India's breadbasket, signed up for the program in 2024, and now operates 25-35 kg industrial-sized drones for spraying pesticides and fertilizers onto farmlands.
The role requires remote control of drones flying over the acres of fields and filling canisters attached to the device with required chemical liquids so that they can spray crops in a matter of minutes.
She said, “This is not an easy task...especially for women who were (earlier) staying at home ... this work has increased respect for us in society and in the home and family," she added while talking with Reuters.
The women claimed the drones can harvest as much as 10 acres (4 hectares) a day, resulting in an earning of up to 4,500 rupees ($52).
Farmers also noted that these machines cut the time needed for manual labor, and they do not have to employ anyone to do the work. It also mitigates risks from scorpions and other reptiles that might be hiding in the fields.
“My house runs well from the earnings,” commented Rajbir Kauer, another drone pilot. “I can provide adequate education and good employment for myself and my children.”
