Beyond Spraying: Punjab’s Drone Didis Sow Seeds of Revolution 

In Punjab’s farmlands, women known as “Drone Didis” are reshaping agriculture by piloting drones for spraying and seeding, turning a once male-dominated field into a space for female leadership. Through the NAMO Drone Didi scheme, women like Amanjot Kaur, who once faced limited prospects, now earn stable incomes and independence with modern equipment and training. Beyond financial gains, these women serve as educators, showcasing how drones save time and labor while increasing efficiency.

Pioneers like Simranjit and Kulwinder Kaur highlight the technology’s revolutionary impact, proving it to be a future-ready skill for rural women. Despite skepticism from farmers, demonstrations and growing bookings are building trust in drone-based farming. By charging per acre for precise spraying, the initiative ensures safer working conditions, reduced chemical exposure, and sustainable earnings. The movement represents economic empowerment, gender equality, and agricultural modernization rolled into one. More than a scheme, the Drone Didis symbolize a quiet but powerful revolution transforming both Punjab’s fields and its social fabric.

Beyond Spraying: Punjab’s Drone Didis Sow Seeds of Revolution 

Forget dusty fields and back-breaking labor. In Punjab’s heartland, a quiet revolution is taking flight, piloted by women in sarees and salwar kameezes. Meet the “Drone Didis” – rural women turned tech-savvy entrepreneurs, transforming agriculture and their own destinies one aerial spray at a time. 

From Tragedy to Tech: The Rise of a Didi 

Amanjot Kaur’s story embodies this shift. At 21, after her father’s passing halted her education, farming a small leased plot seemed her only future. Then came the NAMO Drone Didi scheme. “Enrolled with a self-help group, I learned about the project,” Amanjot recalls. “A 15-day training later, I received a drone, e-scooter, and generator – worth ₹12 lakh – for free.” Seven months on, she’s earned ₹1.75 lakh – unthinkable in local unskilled jobs paying ₹15,000 monthly. “This isn’t just income,” she states, “it’s independence.” 

More Than Machines: Pilots of Progress 

These women aren’t just operators; they’re educators and ambassadors. Simranjit Kaur, an MSc Physics graduate from Ludhiana, travels village-to-village demonstrating drone efficiency. “A drone sprays two acres in seven minutes,” she explains, contrasting it with hours of manual labor. Her pride is palpable: “Being among Punjab’s first trained women drone pilots is revolutionary. We need co-pilot training now to meet demand!” 

Kulwinder Kaur, the sole Drone Didi in Patiala’s Bhuner Heri block, tracks her progress like a CEO: “448 acres sprayed in 2024, already 265 acres this year before peak paddy season.” Her confidence reflects the scheme’s potential: “Graduates struggle locally. This gives rural women a future-proof skill.” 

Planting Seeds of Change, Battling Skepticism 

The journey isn’t without hurdles. Rajveer Kaur in Faridkot confronts farmer skepticism daily. “Their hesitation is natural,” she acknowledges. Demonstrations are key. “Last year was slow (60 acres), but bookings are rising as trust builds.” She identifies a critical upgrade: “Doubling the drone’s 10-litre tank would boost farmer confidence in coverage.” Her vision? “This technology can change Punjab’s agriculture and empower women in a male-dominated field.” 

The Bigger Picture: Fertile Ground for Growth 

Punjab leads northern India with 1,021 drones allocated under the central scheme – a significant investment. The model is simple: farmers pay for chemicals; Drone Didis charge ₹200-300 per acre for precise, efficient spraying. It’s a win-win: reduced exposure to harmful chemicals for workers, timely application for farmers, and sustainable income for women. 

Beyond the Headlines: Why This Matters 

This isn’t just a feel-good story; it’s a blueprint for rural transformation: 

• Economic Liberation: Providing real, scalable income exceeding traditional options for rural women. 

• Tech Democratization: Breaking gender and urban-rural tech barriers, placing advanced tools in the hands of those who work the land. 

• Agricultural Modernization: Promoting precision farming – crucial for Punjab’s stressed agricultural ecosystem – improving efficiency and potentially reducing chemical overuse. 

• Social Shift: Challenging deep-seated norms by positioning women as tech leaders in a conservative, male-dominated sector. They are not laborers; they are commanders of sophisticated machinery. 

The Flight Path Ahead 

The Drone Didis are pioneers. Challenges like scaling up operations, managing demand peaks, and continuous farmer education remain. Yet, their determination is undeniable. As Amanjot pilots her drone over lush paddy fields, Kulwinder strategizes her next booking, and Simranjit advocates for more trainees, they represent more than a government scheme. They embody the tangible power of technology to empower, transform rural economies, and redefine what’s possible for women in Indian agriculture. Punjab’s fields are witnessing the takeoff of a new era, one where the hum of drones signifies not just pest control, but the sound of profound, human-led progress.