News Desk
FARIDABAD, India — On a sunny morning in Punjab, Rupinder Kaur stands in the middle of a sprawling wheat field, her eyes fixed on a buzzing drone overhead. The 32-year-old mother of two isn’t just watching— she’s the one flying it, carefully spraying pesticides over the crops. A year ago, she barely left her home. Now, she’s part of a quiet revolution sweeping rural India, where women are picking up drone controllers and rewriting their futures.
It’s all thanks to a government program called “Drone Didi,” or “Drone Sisters,” launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023. The initiative hands out drones to women-led self-help groups, turning them into agricultural entrepreneurs who offer services like crop spraying. So far, 500 drones have been distributed, with a goal of 15,000, according to the Agriculture Ministry.
The aim is twofold: empower women and make farming more efficient in a country where agriculture still supports millions of families.
Rupinder joined the program in 2024, learning to operate industrial drones that weigh between 55 and 77 pounds. Her job isn’t simple. She fills the drone’s canisters with pesticides or fertilizers, then guides the device remotely across fields, covering up to 10 acres—about 435,600 square feet—in a single day.
That’s a huge leap from the backbreaking manual labor farmers used to rely on. “This is not an easy task, especially for women who were staying at home before,” she told reporters, a hint of pride in her voice. “But this work has increased respect for us in society, in the home, and in the family.”
For Rupinder, the respect isn’t just emotional—it’s financial. On a good day, she earns up to 4,500 rupees, roughly $52, a decent sum in rural India. That money has changed her life. She’s saving for her kids’ schooling and even dreaming of a small business one day. “I feel strong now,” she says, wiping sweat from her forehead as the drone hums above. “I’m not just a housewife anymore.”
She’s not alone. Rajbir Kaur, another drone pilot in the program, shares a similar story. A 29-year-old from a nearby village, Rajbir used to spend her days cooking and cleaning. Now, she’s out in the fields, earning enough to keep her household running smoothly. “I can give myself and my children a good education and a good career,” she says, her smile wide. For her, the drones aren’t just tools—they’re a ticket to a better future.
Farmers are thrilled too. In Punjab, India’s breadbasket state, fields stretch for miles, and farming has always been tough. Finding laborers to spray crops is a hassle, and the work can be dangerous—scorpions, snakes, and other critters often hide in the tall grass. Drones fix all that. They’re fast, covering huge swaths of land in hours, and they keep everyone safe. “It saves time, and I don’t have to worry about workers getting hurt,” says Baldev Singh, a local farmer who hires Rupinder’s services. He’s one of many who’ve embraced the technology, a sign of how India is blending tradition with innovation.
The Drone Didi program is more than a tech experiment—it’s a lifeline for rural women, who’ve long been sidelined in India’s economy. By putting drones in their hands, the government is giving them a chance to earn, learn, and lead. It’s also a win for agriculture, a sector that’s the backbone of India’s growth. With plans to roll out thousands more drones, the initiative could transform villages across the country, one flight at a time.
In a nation known for its vibrant culture and rapid progress, stories like Rupinder’s and Rajbir’s show India at its best: forward-thinking, inclusive, and full of heart. As the drones soar over golden fields, they’re not just spraying crops—they’re planting seeds of change for a new generation of women.
(Source: Reuters, Agriculture Ministry statements)
