Government Partners with Mahindra to Empower Women in Drone Technology (Drone Didi Yojana)

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has taken a significant step towards empowering rural women in India. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., the government aims to equip 500 women with drone operation skills under the Drone Didi Yojana.

Drone Didi Yojana: Skilling Women for Agricultural Advancement

Launched earlier in 2024, the Drone Didi Yojana is a pioneering initiative aimed at training 15,000 women across India to operate drones for agricultural purposes. This empowers women in rural areas by equipping them with the skills needed to utilize new technologies like drones in tasks like:

• Fertilizer Application: Drones can precisely apply fertilizers to crops, optimizing resource usage and minimizing environmental impact.

• Crop Monitoring: Drones equipped with advanced sensors can scan fields and provide valuable data on crop health and growth patterns.

• Seed Sowing: Drones can be used for efficient and targeted seed sowing, leading to improved agricultural yields.

This initiative not only fosters women's economic independence but also contributes to the modernization and efficiency of the agricultural sector in India.

Pilot Projects: Building Skills and Empowering Women

The partnership between Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Mahindra & Mahindra focuses on conducting two pilot projects under the Drone Didi Yojana. These projects will be implemented at the National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) located in Hyderabad and Noida.

• Training Focus: Each pilot project will train 250 women in exclusive batches of 20. The 15-day curriculum, approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), will equip participants with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for drone operation.

• Collaboration for Success: MSDE will leverage its expertise in skill development, while Mahindra & Mahindra will contribute its agricultural knowledge and industry experience. The NSTIs will provide crucial infrastructure and resources for conducting the training programs.

This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive training and paves the way for successful program implementation.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Up and Empowering More Women

The learnings and outcomes from these pilot projects will be instrumental in scaling up the Drone Didi Yojana across the country. MSDE plans to replicate this successful model at other identified NSTIs and ITIs, expanding the program's reach and empowering more women in rural India.

Furthermore, Mahindra & Mahindra will be extending its support beyond the pilot projects. The company plans to launch drone training programs specifically for women at its skilling centers in Zaheerabad, Telangana, and Nagpur, Maharashtra. This initiative demonstrates Mahindra's commitment to the "Rise" philosophy, which emphasizes empowering women and fostering their economic independence.

Infrastructure and Support:

As part of the collaboration, NSTIs will provide infrastructure for running the training program, while Mahindra Group will offer initial setup support, including simulation machinery/drones, simulator software, and trainers. The learning outcomes from the pilot projects will inform the scaling up of the Drone Didi Yojana across the country, with Mahindra Group also extending drone training to its skilling centers in Telangana and Maharashtra.

Conclusion:

The partnership between MSDE and Mahindra Group heralds a new era of women empowerment and technological innovation in India. By equipping women with essential skills in drone operations, the initiative aims to create opportunities for economic upliftment and foster inclusive growth.

As the pilot projects unfold, the vision of empowering women through emerging technology sectors takes a significant step forward, promising a brighter future for women across the nation.