Gandhinagar: In an example of how the Namo Drone Didi Yojana has helped women become self-reliant, one Sonalben from Rajkot, who was earlier a housewife, earned over ₹15 lakh last year through this scheme, while another woman from Banaskantha has been earning over ₹50,000 a month with drone fertiliser spraying.

Launched in 2023, the Namo Drone Didi Yojana empowers women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) by providing drones for agricultural services. It aims to strengthen custom hiring centres, minimise labour and input costs, create sustainable income sources for drone pilots and technicians, and boost crop efficiency, thereby increasing farmers’ income.

Drone Didi Sonalben Pambhar from Rajkot Earns Over ₹15 Lakh

Sonalben Pambhar from Nanavada village in Paddhari taluka, Rajkot district, shared, “Earlier, I was only looking after my home. The Mission Mangalam team organised a public meeting in our village to introduce us to the Namo Drone Didi scheme. After getting the information, I attended a 15-day training at Pune (Sevari), Maharashtra, in December 2023. Later, I received additional training from IFFCO in Rajkot. I got a drone, and the technical team taught me how to use it. I first used the drone successfully on June 10, 2024, spraying on cotton and groundnut crops in the farms of my village. Soon, other farmers also requested my help, and my income increased significantly. Over the past year, I have sprayed crops for 1,740 farmers, earning a total of ₹15,38,500. Joining the self-help group helped me earn recognition not just as Drone Didi but also as a Lakhpati Didi. Financial independence allowed me to support my family better and earn respect at home and in society. I am very grateful to the Mission Mangalam Department and Narendra Modi for this scheme.”

Drone Didi Bhavnaben Chaudhary from Banaskantha Earns Over ₹50,000 a Month

“I have completed my BA and am involved in agriculture and animal husbandry. I am a member of Shri Sakhi Mandal under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). I actively participate in all the programs of the Sakhi Mandal. Earlier, none of us in the village knew about drones. I learned about them through the NRLM office at the district and taluka level, and I was eager to become a Drone Didi. I completed 15 days of residential drone training at Ahmedabad Indus University through GNFC Bharuch and obtained my license by passing the drone pilot exam. I received a drone and began spraying pesticides in the farms of my village. Today, I am known as Drone Didi in my village, and I earn over ₹50,000 a month. This work has brought me respect and independence, and I am very grateful to the Namo Drone Didi Yojana and Shri Narendra Modi for this opportunity,” shares Bhavnaben Chaudhary from Varsada village in Kankrej taluka, Banaskantha district.

The Namo Drone Didi Yojana has turned out to be a transformative initiative for rural women in Gujarat. Through this scheme, they have gained financial independence, respect, and confidence, becoming role models in their communities. Their courage, determination, and success reflect the true spirit of women’s empowerment and the promise of a brighter, self-reliant future. DeshGujarat