Punjab Woman Transforms into 'Drone Didi': A Beacon for Villagers
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Amritsar, March 8 (NationPress) - On this International Women's Day, while we honor the achievements and advancements of women and girls across diverse fields, numerous stories of change and celebration from the agricultural regions often go unnoticed.
One such remarkable story is of Gurdeep Kaur from Sri Anandpur Sahib, Punjab. Her transformation from an everyday villager to a renowned 'Drone Didi' has astonished and inspired many.
Currently residing in Gambhirpur village, Gurdeep has embraced the role of a drone pilot under the Central Government's NaMo Drone Didi Yojana 2024.
Not only is she promoting modern agricultural technologies, but she is also creating job opportunities for her fellow villagers.
After receiving specialized training in drone operation from the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), she earned her certification in drone flying.
Furthermore, IFFCO equipped her with a drone valued at Rs 10 lakh and a three-wheeler worth approximately Rs 5 lakh, enabling her to transport her drone and necessary equipment efficiently.
Gurdeep now travels to various villages, utilizing drones to spray pesticides and fertilizers on farmers' fields.
The use of drones allows for quicker and cost-effective application of pesticides and disinfectants in agricultural lands, providing significant relief to farmers facing labor shortages and escalating costs.
Gurdeep Kaur expressed her pride in becoming a drone pilot and encourages local farmers to adopt modern methods to enhance their crop yields with the aid of drone technology.
Her inspiring journey has motivated many of her fellow villagers, especially women, to challenge stereotypes and take to drone flying in agriculture.
The NaMo Drone Didi initiative is a Central Government program aimed at empowering women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing them with drone technology to deliver agricultural services.
This initiative plans to supply drones to 15,000 selected women SHGs from 2024 to 2026, enabling them to offer rental services to farmers for agricultural purposes, including the application of liquid fertilizers and pesticides.