Haryana to empower women through Namo Drone Didi scheme

Giving more wings to women empowerment, the Haryana government will train 5,000 women associated with 500 self-help groups (SHGs) to operate drones under the central government's Namo Drone Didi scheme.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

The initiative aims to introduce advanced technology into farming, making agriculture easier and more profitable for women.

According to officials, this initiative is expected to generate an additional income of at least Rs 1 lakh per year for each SHG.

Under this scheme, each selected SHG will receive a drone, helping the Drone Didis spray pesticides, fertilisers, and seeds on fields, reducing labour costs, and saving time and water.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously announced that 15,000 women across India would be trained as "Drone Didis" to modernise agriculture.

Nisha Rani, a Drone Didi from Khizrabad, Yamunanagar, who was among the 70 women trained in the first batch in January last year, said, "We have started an awareness campaign to encourage others to adopt these techniques.