Bill Gates lauds 'Namo Drone Didi' initiative for empowering rural women in agriculture

Bill Gates, former Microsoft CEO and philanthropist who is on a visit to India had a first-hand feel of "Namo Drone Didi" initiative, a government-led programme aimed at empowering rural women while transforming agricultural practices through drone technology.

During his visit to the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in New Delhi, he engaged with a group of empowered women pilots known as "Drone Didis," who are leading the way in modernising Indian farming through advanced drone technology. The visit was facilitated by Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL), a key partner in the initiative.

"We take immense pride in Bill Gates recognising the transformational power of the 'Namo Drone Didi' initiative. Our commitment to training and equipping women with agricultural drones stems from our vision of fostering a self-reliant and digitally empowered India. Accessible and well-utilised technology has the potential to uplift rural communities and drive economic progress", Dr. Siba Prasad Mohanty, Managing Director of HURL, said.

The agricultural drones are manufactured by tech start-up Garuda Aerospace. As of today, the company has delivered 446 drones to women Self-Help Groups across 20 states, boosting agricultural productivity and increasing rural incomes. The initiative has provided training to over 500 rural women, equipping them with critical drone skills and fostering economic independence.

According to Garuda, Gates observed how these drones are reshaping Indian farming by improving precision agriculture, including fertiliser spraying, seed dispersal, and crop monitoring.

"We are honored to have Bill Gates witness the impact of our Agri Drones and the dedication of the Drone Didis. This initiative aligns with our mission to empower rural communities with cutting-edge technology. Seeing the significant improvements in their family incomes is a testament to the power of innovation and resilience. We are excited about the future of Agri-drones in India", Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, said.

Garuda Aerospace has so far supplied 15,000 drones to HURL and provided daily training to the "Drone Didis," enabling them to become financially self-reliant and successful entrepreneurs. HURL has also played a vital role in this transformation, training and equipping women with agricultural drones to enhance efficiency and sustainability in farming practices.