Armed with her drone, Neetu began offering pesticide and fertilizer spraying services to farmers across villages. What started with small farms soon expanded as she mastered spraying an acre in just ten minutes. Farmers quickly realized the benefits — drones could access tough terrains and ensure even distribution of fertilizers, saving both time and labor. Charging Rs 300 per acre, Neetu earned around Rs 3 lakh in 13 months, proving that technology can empower women and improve agricultural productivity simultaneously. So far, nine women in Varanasi, including Neetu, have received remote pilot training certificates after completing a 10-day course at the Drone Academy of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PGTSAU). They also underwent three days of advanced training, enabling them to use drones efficiently for agricultural purposes.

Today, Neetu Rai stands as a symbol of empowerment and change in rural India. Supported by the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission, drone-trained women like Neetu—fondly called “Drone Didis” or “Drone Sakhis”—have collectively earned approximately Rs 5.94 lakh in just 13 months by spraying fertilizers and pesticides across 3,212 acres. They have already sprayed over 1,600 litres of fertilizer and 487 litres of pesticide on a variety of crops including sugarcane, paddy, sesame, bottle gourd, pigeon pea, okra, and chili. Neetu’s journey from a homemaker to a tech-savvy entrepreneur stands as a shining example of how courage, training, and opportunity can empower rural women and transform the face of agriculture in India.

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The discussion highlighted the transformative experiences of two Drone Didis, Ms. Rekha Rani from Barnala and Ms. Jasbir Kaur from Bhatinda, who shared their journeys into the world of drone technology. Ms. Rani expressed her newfound confidence after completing a comprehensive training program that equipped her with essential technical skills, significantly contributing to her family’s management. Meanwhile, Ms. Kaur reported impressive earnings of Rs 5,000 per day during peak crop seasons and Rs 3,000 per day during lean seasons, showcasing the economic stability that the initiative has brought to their lives.

The Drone Didi initiative, launched in November 2023 under the NaMo Drone Didi Scheme, aims to empower 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with drones to assist in agricultural activities. The program has demonstrated positive outcomes, with women like Jasbir Kaur and Rekha Rani not only achieving economic stability but also taking on mentorship roles to inspire other women in their villages to pursue similar training opportunities. Ms. Rani expressed gratitude for the government’s support in providing training and skill development, which has allowed them to create additional sources of income for their families.

The success of the Drone Didi initiative can be attributed to visionary entrepreneurs like Dr. Shankar Goenka, who has made drones accessible to rural women at economical prices. His commitment to innovation and sustainable farming practices has significantly transformed the agricultural landscape. Under Dr. Goenka’s leadership at WOW Factors, the initiative has empowered women with technical skills and resources, enabling them to enhance farming efficiency and productivity. The inspiring stories of Drone Didis like Ms. Rekha Rani and Ms. Jasbir Kaur serve as a testament to the resilience and potential within rural communities, illustrating how training and support can unlock opportunities for future generations in the field of technology. Proceeding of the program were coordinated by Shri G.S. Bawa , Former GM(PR), Airports Authority of India.

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