Tamil Nadu’s ‘Drone Didis’ Spray Acres Of Farmlands in a Jiffy

Introduction to ‘Drone Didis’:

• Tamil Nadu’s first batch of women drone operators under the Namo Drone Didi scheme is operational.
  • The initiative empowers rural women, making them part of the farming supply chain.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance ,Schemes)

• Pilot Stories:
  • Nandhini Sugumar (27):
    • Postgraduate in Mathematics.
    • Now a trained drone operator, assisting farmers in spraying fertilizers and pesticides.
    • Covers an acre of farmland in 7 minutes for ₹400 per acre.
    • Operates in Devapandalam and surrounding areas where most farmers own 1-4 acres.

Training and Resources

• Conducted by Garuda Aerospace Private Ltd. in Chennai:
  • 5-day hands-on training on drone operation and maintenance.
  • Remote Pilot Training Classes.
• Participants receive a drone worth ₹7 lakh for free:
  • Equipped with two tanks and a battery set.
  • Weighs ~30 kg when loaded.

Advantages

Efficient Operations:

• Reduces time for agricultural tasks:
  • 1 acre in 7 minutes compared to manual methods.
  • Simplifies spraying of fertilizers, pesticides, and water.

Economic Opportunity:

• Provides an alternate income for rural women.
  • Charges are affordable for small-scale farmers (₹400/acre).

Skill Development:

• Introduces rural women to advanced technology.
  • Promotes entrepreneurship in agriculture.

Challenges

Battery Limitations:

• Frequent recharging needed after every acre.

Logistics Issues:

• Drones, weighing ~30 kg when loaded, are difficult to transport.
  • Requires assistance to carry.

Adoption Hurdles:

• Awareness and trust-building among farmers are still ongoing.

Impact on Agriculture

• Accelerates farming processes in regions with small landholdings.
• Reduces manual labor dependency.
• Enhances productivity by ensuring uniform spraying of inputs.

Policy Implications

• Highlights the need for:
  • Subsidized access to drone-compatible batteries and lightweight models.
  • Infrastructure for easier transportation in rural areas.
• Aligns with the government’s focus on technological inclusion and women’s empowerment in rural areas.

Conclusion

The ‘Drone Didis’ initiative exemplifies a successful blend of technology, women’s empowerment, and sustainable farming practices. While challenges like logistics and battery life persist, the program has the potential to transform rural economies and agricultural productivity.

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