TFP Bureau, Raipur; September 18, 2024: Women from self-help groups (SHGs) in Baloda Bazar district are set to receive drone training under the Namo Drone Didi Yojana, a government initiative aimed at providing self-employment opportunities. The district’s Collector, Shri Deepak Soni, has instructed the Agriculture Department to take swift action in facilitating this training. The scheme aims to empower women by equipping them with skills in drone operation, particularly for agricultural use.
During a recent meeting, Drone Didi Mrs. Nirupa Sahu and Drone Pilot Mr. Nikhil Kannauje shared their experiences with Collector Shri Soni. Praising their work, the Collector described them as role models for others. He also highlighted the benefits of using drones for spraying fertilizers and pesticides, encouraging farmers to adopt this modern technology on a wider scale.
Mrs. Sahu, a resident of Lahod village in Baloda Bazar, recounted her journey into drone operations, which began in April 2024 after completing a 15-day training program in Gwalior. She is a member of the ‘Vaibhav Lakshmi Self-Help Group’ under the Bihan scheme. Mrs. Sahu currently charges Rs 300 per acre for spraying pesticides and fertilizers, and she has earned an income of Rs 25,000 since she began offering her services.
Mr. Kannauje, a resident of Latua village and a drone pilot associated with IFFCO, also shared his experiences, noting that he has sprayed pesticides over 88 acres of farmland using drones since April. He explained that drones can cover distances of up to 2-3 kilometers, making them highly efficient for agricultural purposes.
The Namo Drone Didi Yojana, launched by the Central Government, aims to provide drones to 15,000 SHGs over the next four years. The initiative focuses on enabling women to utilize drone technology for agricultural applications, particularly for spraying fertilizers and pesticides, thus opening up new avenues for self-employment and income generation in rural areas.
