Empowering Women in Himachal Pradesh: IIT Mandi's 'Drone Didi' Initiative Takes Flight

In a groundbreaking development for Indian agriculture, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi, has initiated "Drone Didi," a unique skill development program designed to empower women in Himachal Pradesh by training them to operate drones for agricultural use. This initiative seeks to pave the way for women to emerge as leaders and entrepreneurs in the sector.

The program, backed by the Agriculture Skill Council of India, is currently underway with the inaugural batch of 20 female students at the IIT Mandi campus. The intensive three-month residential training program encompasses various facets of drone operations, offering participants practical experience.

The objective is to prepare women to become skilled 'kisan drone operators' and potential entrepreneurs in the agricultural industry. The institute's Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) offers technical assistance and potential job opportunities for these budding "Drone Didis."

Somjit Amrit, the CEO of IIT Mandi i-Hub, articulates that the primary aim of the initiative is to transform agricultural practices by integrating skill development with drone technology. The use of agricultural drones is expected to save time, reduce dependence on pesticides, and positively impact human health. Given Himachal Pradesh's prominence in fruit production, the role of a kisan drone operator is particularly relevant, offering the potential to generate multiple job opportunities and foster entrepreneurship.

Participants such as Shashi Bala, who has a background in BSc (Agriculture), have expressed their excitement for the program, emphasizing the valuable skills gained, including drone applications, maintenance, DCA guidelines, agri-drone applications, business skills, and soft skills.

Komal Thakur, an electrical engineer from a farming family, highlighted the program's help in learning about pesticide spraying for their village's tomato and apple crops.

The innovative initiative has garnered the attention of President Droupadi Mumru, who praised the efforts to empower women in agriculture through drone automation.

President Mumru underscored the transformative potential of the initiative, using technology to foster a more inclusive and equitable agricultural landscape. Incorporating women into this crucial sector ensures a diverse and skilled workforce, significantly contributing to the advancement and sustainability of farming practices.

The program's vision goes beyond regional boundaries, with plans for national expansion, aiming to have a lasting impact on women's empowerment, agricultural methodologies, and entrepreneurial ventures across India.