The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) recognized IIT Mandi iHub’s Drone Didi skill development program, which empowers women in agriculture using drone automation.
According to a press release from IIT Mandi, at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Kaushal Bhavan’ in New Delhi, officials from the IIT Mandi iHub presented the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, with the success of the Drone Didi skill development program.
“Empowering women in the crucial realm of agriculture through the implementation of drone automation is a transformative initiative. It not only harnesses the power of technology but also fosters a more inclusive and equitable agricultural landscape. The integration of women into this pivotal sector ensures a diversified and skilled workforce, contributing significantly to the growth and sustainability of our agricultural practices,” said President of India, Droupadi Murmu.
According to IIT Mandi, ‘Drone Didi’ is an entrepreneurship development program tailored for women in Himachal Pradesh and beyond, with a specific focus on agri-drone applications.
“This project is a testament to our commitment to inclusive growth and aligns with our vision of creating a skilled, self-reliant India. We aim to take this project to a national level soon,” said Somjit Amrit, CEO of IIT Mandi iHub.
‘Drone Didi’ project aims to not only serve as a skill development endeavour but also as a robust platform for women to establish businesses in the rapidly growing field of drone technology, said IIT Mandi.
According to the press release, participants in the ‘Drone Didi’ program receive comprehensive training and support, including:
- Theoretical and Practical training on Drone flying leading to securing Remote Pilot Licenses
- Training on Agricultural Drone Applications like crop pesticide spraying, monitoring field conditions, plant health, seeding, and pollination
- Providing capacity-building support in entrepreneurship
- Providing Mentorship support and enabling market/credit linkages
Executed with support from the Agriculture Skill Council of India, the first batch of the Drone Didi program is currently underway, with a total of 20 female students at the IIT Mandi campus in collaboration with the institute’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), mentioned the press release.
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