How women in India are transforming the drone ecosystem.
So, who is the drone activator for the economy? Are only regulatory authorities the key players? The market drivers know that the play goes on with the exchange of balls from both courts, where authorities and industries operate in between. When companies invest heavily in the ecosystem, their push for problem-solving brings more people on board.
The world might refer to drones as unmanned aerial systems, but they are far from being just lifeless aerial systems, especially in agriculture. They transport pesticides and seeds, carry sensors that scan geographical landscapes, and assist in mapping and monitoring. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are transforming Indian agriculture, from precision farming to soil health monitoring.
The Indian economy has always been deeply connected to agriculture and women have invariably been part of this agriculture landscape–but mostly as laborers. They do the most intensive physical labor and contribute equally, though they have never been credited with the formal name of being a ‘Farmer’.
In recent times, with population expansion and food shortages, agriculture constitutes 16% of India’s GDP—or ~$650 billion of a $4.3 trillion economy. Women are already reshaping agriculture via conventional methods as the Indian government has chiseled women’s roles across all sectors, not just in agriculture.
In India, women-led drone entrepreneurship is increasing in popularity, especially under the Drone Didi Program. This program was recently launched by the Modi government under PPP (Public-Private Partnership) where didi means “elder sister.” This is India’s boldest initiative yet—creating over 20 million women drone entrepreneurs. It provides them with hands-on training to establish sustainable and self-sufficient agriculture through technology. Through this program, the Indian government is developing a future-ready workforce and providing opportunities for women to upskill.
With the government’s investment, an increasing number of rural Indian women are learning about drone technology–rural women who have barely used a smartphone. The Indian government is providing them with RC controllers to operate heavy drones that can spray acres and acres of pesticides on their fields. This is coupled with the standard workforce upskilling courses. And what if the training is not done properly? Would this lead to a wasted resources? This where the corporate sector comes into play.
Private companies across India have heavily invested into the ecosystem, bringing women from fields to the skies and developing them into drone pilots. We all know that women are warriors- they juggle work deadlines, ensure their children are fed, and learn new skills concurrently; their learning never ends. Recognizing this potential, several startups and tech giants are now focusing on drone technology tailored for agriculture.
Companies like Garuda Aerospace and Aarav Unmanned Systems are developing affordable, Indian-made drones specifically for farming. Additionally, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are investing in AI-powered drone analytics to optimize farming decisions. Comparatively, the startup ecosystem is booming in this sector. Agritech startups in India raised over $1 billion in 2023–a portion of which was directed toward drone-based solutions.
Preet Sandhuu, founder of AVPL International, a leading Indian drone company, once said, “Indian women need education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to unlock their true potential.” This quote aligns with the Indian government’s vision of creating female drone entrepreneurs. Skyroot Aerospace, a rising drone company, predicts that by 2027, one in every five drones in India will be operated by a woman entrepreneur. Talk about a major flex for women in tech.
As technology advances, ensuring that women have access to the right skills is crucial. The private sector’s involvement in agritech is not just about innovation—it is also about equipping a new generation of women with STEM expertise to drive this change. In a country where 70% of the workforce is male, the government is taking a bold step in empowering women through drone technology. Drone agriculture will be the driving force of the global economy. Agriculture, which was once considered a stagnant sector, is now embracing technological transformation.
As India moves closer to its target, the world will witness how female drone pilots reshape modern Indian farming. The drones may be researched and developed anywhere in the world, but India will lead its practical applications. With advances in drone technology, women will not just be participants but pioneers, transforming the agricultural landscape from the ground up.
