Surat girls become drone pilots, get drones worth Rs 9L

Surat: Two young women from Surat, Aditi Kumari Chaudhary and Kajolben Rathod, have successfully stepped into the realm of drone piloting through the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, each receiving a drone worth ₹9 lakh. This achievement not only marks their personal triumph but also highlights the powerful impact of the scheme, which is revolutionising agricultural practices by placing advanced drone technology in the hands of rural women.

The Namo Drone Didi Scheme, an innovative initiative by the Indian government, is designed to empower women and modernise agriculture by providing 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across India with agricultural drones. These drones can be rented to farmers to perform crucial tasks such as crop monitoring, fertiliser spraying, and seed sowing, thus improving farming efficiency. This programme is more than just about technology; it is about making women central to the rural economy and driving the next agricultural revolution.

This success is largely attributed to an awareness campaign conducted by AVPL International in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Surat, which introduced Aditi and Kajolben to the world of drones. During this programme, the young women learned about the significant role that drones could play in modernising agriculture and improving the lives of farmers. Inspired by the possibilities, they decided to pursue drone piloting as a viable career, marking the beginning of their journey towards empowerment.

For Aditi Kumari, a resident of Phulwadi Mandvi, Surat, the scheme was a lifeline to her dreams. “I always wanted to contribute to my community and help my family, but I didn’t know how,” Aditi said, recalling her journey. “Last year, I attended an awareness campaign organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Surat and AVPL International, where I learned about the immense potential drones hold in revolutionising agriculture. The Namo Drone Didi Scheme caught my attention because it wasn’t just about giving women technology, it was about giving us the opportunity to be a part of something bigger. When I realised that the government was offering free drones to women from self-help groups to support local farmers, I knew this was my chance. Today, I am thrilled to have achieved my dream of becoming a drone pilot, and I am deeply thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching this initiative for women like me. Without this scheme, my dream may never have come true.”

Kajolben Rathod, another recipient from Kantali, Surat, shared a similar path. After attending the same awareness campaign, she was inspired to pursue drone piloting. “The session was an eye-opener for me. The team from KVK Surat and AVPL International explained the Namo Drone Didi Scheme in such a way that it made me realise how drones could revolutionise farming in my village. We learned about how drones can save both time and resources, especially when it comes to spraying fertilisers and pesticides. That day, something just clicked for me. I thought, ‘This is what I want to do.’ I wanted to help farmers in my community while also earning a livelihood. The fact that the government provides 80% financial assistance and further support through the National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility gave me the confidence to pursue this path. Today, I am not only a drone pilot but also an example for other women in my community to follow their aspirations.”

The Namo Drone Didi Scheme provides comprehensive support for women like Aditi and Kajol, covering 80% of the drone cost, up to ₹8 lakh, with the remaining amount available through the National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF). This facility also offers interest subvention to reduce financial burdens. Additionally, the programme provides training for SHG members, equipping one member with drone piloting skills and another with the technical know-how to repair and maintain the drones. This holistic approach ensures that women can run drone services independently and contribute meaningfully to their local economies.

Dr Janaksingh Rathod, Senior Scientist and Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Surat, expressed immense pride in the success of Aditi and Kajol. “Their achievements are a testament to the potential of the Namo Drone Didi Scheme and the value of education and awareness in transforming lives,” he remarked. “Out of the 87 participants in our awareness campaign, Aditi and Kajol stood out with their determination to take this opportunity and turn it into something significant. It is inspiring to see how they have embraced technology and are now ready to serve their communities as drone pilots. Our mission at KVK Surat, in collaboration with AVPL International, is to empower more women like them. We will continue to host similar programmes to educate and inspire women in rural areas to embrace this transformative technology and become key players in modern agriculture.”

Preet Sandhuu, Founder and Managing Director of AVPL International, highlighted the long-term vision of the scheme and the significance of its implementation. “The Namo Drone Didi Scheme is more than just a government initiative; it’s a movement to reshape how we think about women’s roles in rural economies,” she explained. “Through this scheme, we aim to empower women by giving them access to advanced technology, making them self-reliant and capable of supporting their families and communities. It’s not just about drones; it’s about giving these women a platform to become entrepreneurs and leaders in their own right. Aditi and Kajol are perfect examples of what this scheme is designed to achieve. They have shown courage and ambition, and today, they are not only drone pilots but also role models for countless women across India. This is just the beginning—we hope to see many more women rise and take charge of their destinies through this initiative.”

The Namo Drone Didi Scheme is a game-changer for both women and agriculture, merging empowerment with modern technology to create sustainable livelihoods. As Aditi and Kajol begin their careers as drone pilots, they are at the forefront of an agricultural revolution that promises to enhance productivity, reduce the physical strain on farmers, and open new economic opportunities for women across rural India.

About AVPL International

AVPL International is a pioneering entity in the drone ecosystem, with a notable presence across 12 states and encompassing 70 skill and incubation hubs dedicated to the drone and agriculture sectors. Our offerings include drone and skill training, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), drone manufacturing, and agri-input retail outlets across India. We are committed to uplifting rural youth by providing international and competitive training for global employment.

Our DGCA-Type Certified Agriculture Drone, “VIRAJ” (TC-T0524000001O), has a payload capacity of 10 litres of spray tank. We are an Approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) certified by DGCA, with four RPTOs in Haryana. We are affiliated with NSDC, ASCI, TSSC, and various state governments, including Haryana (HSRLM, HSDM, and Department of Agriculture), Uttar Pradesh (UPSDM), Uttarakhand (UKSDM), and Assam (ASRLM). For 20 years, we have signed MOUs with 17 government ITIs and 3 government polytechnics in Uttar Pradesh to establish “World Skill and Incubation Hubs (WSIH)” under PPP mode. We are currently operating 50 “Global Skill and Incubation Hubs (GSIH)” for drones, agriculture, and other multi-sector training.

Headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana, AVPL International has subsidiaries including SPH Aviation Private Limited and Farmer’s City International Private Limited. We also apply for Type Certification of the 16-Litre Agriculture and Training/Mapping Drone. Our partnership with IFFCO entails spraying pesticides on over 50 lakh acres across 70 districts in eight states.