Empowering Women and Boosting Crops, One Drone at a Time

In 2023, the Indian government launched a program to help rural women boost their incomes and the country’s agricultural productivity by using drones to fertilize crops, and the results are promising.

In India, self-help groups, or SHGs, are a form of mutual aid. Each SHG is small (most are around 12 people, although some are as big as 25) and brings together women to support each other socially and financially. They pool their savings, access microloans at lower interest rates, and solve problems in areas like health and education.

Through the Namo Drone Didi Program, Didi is the Hindi word for “sister,” and each drone is affiliated with an SHG. The plan is to provide some 15,000 drones to SHGs across India by the end of next year. Drones help atomize the liquid fertilizer more evenly, making it into finer droplets that cover more area. Plus, less fertilizer and water are required to distribute it. Each drone, Didi, can cover two hectares at the same time. It would take five people to cover 0.2 hectares. EacDididi attends a training program in Hyderabad or Noida, where they are taught how to pilot the drone and apply fertilizer effectively. Once trained as drone technicians, they are equipped to repair the machines should any problem arise. Many women’s lives have improved less than two years after the program’s launch.