Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed agricultural drone demonstrations conducted by Namo Drone Didis at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi. On this occasion, the ‘Namo Drone Didis’ trained by IFFCO, also flew drones in agriculture fields.
In the Phulpur Unit of IFFCO, the drone didis flew 100 drones simultaneously. Similarly, in Motihari, Bihar, Chennai,and Tamil Nadu, the drone didis flew 104 and 20 drones during demonstrations.
IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi , later shared the video footage of drones flying in the fields, which received a huge appreciation from the followers. The Namo Drone Didis from 10 different locations nationwide participated in drone demonstrations simultaneously.
During the program, the Prime Minister handed over drones to 1,000 Namo Drone Didis. The Prime Minister also distributed bank loans worth around Rs 8,000 crore to Self Help Groups (SHGs) at subsidized interest rates through Bank Linkage Camps set up by banks in each district.
The Prime Minister disbursed about Rs 2,000 crore Capitalization Support Fund to SHGs. The Prime Minister also interacted with the beneficiaries.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister called today’s occasion historic as Drone Didis and Lakhpati Didis are scripting new chapters of success. He praised the determination and persistence of the Nari Shakti. ‘This gave me confidence to embark on the journey of creating 3 crore lakhpati Didis’, he said.
He also acknowledged that the transformative influence of drone technology in agriculture is being steered by women of the nation. Recalling his interaction with a Drone Didi, the Prime Minister elaborated on the sense of empowerment through income, skill and recognition of the Drone Didi. “I have full faith that Nari Shakti will lead the technology revolution in the country”, The Prime Minister added, mentioning strides made by women in all fields.
The Prime Minister elaborated on the expansion of drone technology in areas such as transporting milk and
vegetable products to the market, medicine delivery etc opening new avenues for Drone Didis.
The Namo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi initiatives are integral to the Prime Minister’s vision of fostering economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women, especially in rural areas.
In order to further this vision, the Prime Minister will felicitate Lakhpati Didis, who have achieved success with the support of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission and are supporting and motivating other Self-Help Group members for their upliftment.
Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Mansukh Mandaviya and Giriraj Singh were among those present on the occasion.
