Gandhinagar, 25 September (IANS) The festival symbolizing the spirit of Navratri, devotion and femininity, has once again focused on the power of women. In Gujarat, this spirit of empowerment is being felt not only in cultural ceremonies but also in areas where women are changing agriculture with state -of -the -art drone technology under the Namo Drone Didi scheme, as shared by the Gujarat government.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023, the scheme aims to provide drones to women-led self-help groups, making them able to spray pesticides and manage crops more efficiently.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel led his implementation in Gujarat, the program has become a model of economic freedom and technology of women in rural areas.
Initiative, Deandayal Antyodaya Yojana – Part of National Rural Livelihood Mission, reduce labor costs, improve agricultural productivity and create new income currents for trained women drone pilots and technicians.
Today, women known as drone Didis are emerging as a pioneer in the agriculture sector, taking technology from workshops to areas.
In Nanawada village of Rajkot, 33 -year -old Sonben Pumber has become a local icon. Once a housewife, Sonben trained to become a certified drone operator in Pune and Rajkot.
On June 10, 2024, he sprayed his first pesticide using drones on cotton and peanut crops. Within a year, he worked with 1,740 farmers, spraying peanuts, soybeans, pigeon peas, cotton, chickpeas and peas.
His earnings crossed Rs 15.38 lakh, giving him the title of “Lakhpati Didi”.
“This scheme has changed my life. Now my community has a new identity, and my family’s standard of living has improved considerably,” he said, expressing gratitude to Mission Mangalam Department and Prime Minister Modi.
In Varasada village of Banskantha, 29 -year -old Bhavanben Chaudhary, who holds a bachelor’s degree, was introduced for drone through his Sakhi Mandal under the Rural Livelihood Mission.
After completing 15-day residential training at Sindhu University in Ahmedabad, he obtained his drone pilot license and started spraying pesticides on local fields.
Today, she earns more than Rs 50,000 in a month, not only financial stability, but also receives respect and recognition in her community.
“I never thought I would blow a drone in the fields. The scheme has given me both freedom and dignity,” he said.
The Namo Drone Didi Yojana has become a game-changer in the rural economy of Gujarat. Women who once had very little contact for technology are now mastery in advanced equipment and forming permanent livelihoods.
Beyond economic empowerment, the scheme has instill confidence, converted beneficiaries into role models, and has strengthened the government’s vision of making India a developed nation by 2047.
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Janvi/PGH