Rural women pilots are revolutionizing farm work, increasing their incomes, and promoting modern farming practices across the state.
(Punjab) – A quiet revolution is taking flight in the fertile fields of Punjab. Enterprising rural women trained as drone pilots under the Namo Drone Didi Yojana of the Government of India are now earning lucrative livelihoods by providing modern spraying services to farmers and breaking gender stereotypes in agriculture.
These ‘Drone Didis’ are equipped with drones, e-scooters, and generators—a free investment of about ₹12 lakh under the scheme—to start their own independent ventures. They charge farmers between ₹200 and 300 per acre to spray pesticides and fertilizers, a job they do with unprecedented efficiency.
A personal journey of empowerment
The initiative proved to be a lifeline for 21-year-old Amanjot Kaur of Chatthewala village in Bathinda. She had to stop her studies after her father passed away. Now, she has earned an impressive ₹1.75 lakh in the last seven months alone.
“A graduate in small towns barely earns ₹15,000… while the Drone Didi project has enabled rural women to take advantage of an opportunity with immense potential,” she says.
Proven impact and growing ambition
The impact is direct and measured in acres covered:
Kulwinder Kaur from Patiala has sprayed 265 acres of maize, sunflower, and fodder this year, after covering 448 acres in 2024.
Simranjit Kaur, an MSc physics graduate from Ludhiana, highlights its efficiency: “A drone takes only seven minutes to spray two acres.” She aims to surpass last year’s target of 320 acres.
Facing challenges with confidence
Despite the success, there are initial hesitations to adopt it. Rajveer Kaur from Faridkot, who covered 60 acres in her first year, acknowledges the challenge but remains optimistic.
Farmers’ hesitation is understandable… But I am confident people will soon accept the use of drones, further empowering women in a sector that was once dominated by men.
National support to northern region leader
Central government statistics underline Punjab’s leading role in this transformation. Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur informed that out of the 14,500 drones sanctioned nationally, Punjab has been allotted 1,021 drones – the highest among all northern Indian states.
This initiative is not just about crop management; it is about independence, economic prosperity, and technologically advanced future farming for India’s rural women.
