Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., India’s leading farm equipment company and the world’s largest tractor manufacturer by volume, to conduct two Pilots under the Drone Didi Yojna. The initiative, introduced earlier this year, aims to train 15,000 women on how to use drones for agricultural purposes, including seeding, crop monitoring, and fertilizer planting. The scheme will enable women to pursue new career opportunities by transferring skills in new technology domains.
As part of this collaboration, MSDE and Mahindra will conduct two pilots at the National Skill Training Institutes (NSTI) in Hyderabad and Noida. These exclusive training batches, each comprising 20 women, will undergo a 15-day curriculum approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The training will be delivered by Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) instructors at these Centers.
Speaking on the collaboration, Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, said:
We are excited to announce our partnership with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., leveraging their agricultural expertise for comprehensive training. Two NSTIs in Hyderabad and Noida have been chosen for the pilot programme to empower rural women in agriculture. This collaboration advances our mission of upskilling women for nation-building, mainly through successfully implementing the Drone Didi programme to empower women in emerging trades. This collaboration with Mahindra will advance our vision, equipping women with the skills to contribute to nation-building. Through rigorous training methodologies and hands-on learning experiences, we will equip our students with the practical skills and competencies required to excel in their chosen fields and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s socio-economic growth.
Through this alliance, the NSTIs will provide infrastructure for running the training programme and hostel for participants and tap into local Women Self Help Groups and NGOs to mobilize participation. Mahindra Group will provide initial set-up support through simulation machinery/drones, simulator controller, simulator software, Desktop computer with i5 Processor and trainers, and meet the operating costs for the duration of the Pilot project, including the cost of DGCA License Holder Instructors at the centres.
Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD of Mahindra Group, stated:
Aligned with our Rise philosophy, the Mahindra Group is committed to empowering women with the skills necessary to join the workforce and achieve financial independence. The pilot under the Drone Didi Yojana represents a first-of-its-kind convergence of women, farming, and technology. We are delighted to provide technology training to grassroots women and ensure that agriculture is equipped for the future.
The learnings and outcomes from the Pilot project will assist MSDE in scaling up the Drone Didi Yojana at identified NSTIs/ITIs across the country. To further support the intent of the Drone Didi Yojana, Mahindra will soon roll out Drone training for women at the company’s skilling centres in Zaheerabad, Telangana, and Nagpur, Maharashtra
