The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has forged a significant partnership with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M) to implement two Pilot Projects under the auspices of the Drone Didi Yojana. This collaboration aims to equip women with the necessary skills to operate drones for agricultural purposes, thereby fostering new avenues of livelihood.
Key Figures Present
The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Secretary of MSDE, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, and Group CEO & MD of Mahindra Group, Dr. Anish Shah, alongside senior officials from MSDE.
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Objectives of Drone Didi Yojana
Launched earlier this year, the Drone Didi Yojana seeks to train 15,000 women in utilizing drones for various agricultural activities such as crop fertilization, monitoring crop growth, and seed planting. This initiative aims to empower women by imparting skills in emerging technological fields, thereby creating new opportunities for them.
Utilizing Agricultural Expertise
Shri Tiwari highlighted the expertise of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. in agriculture and emphasized how it will be utilized to provide comprehensive training under this initiative. He announced that two National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) centers in Hyderabad and Noida have been selected for the Pilot Projects, with a focus on empowering rural women in agriculture.
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Mission of Upskilling Women
Shri Tiwari underscored the collaborative effort’s mission to upskill women, aligning with the vision of empowering them for nation-building. He expressed confidence in the successful implementation of the Drone Didi program, which aims to equip women with the skills necessary for contributing to the nation’s development.
Commitment to Women Empowerment
Dr. Anish Shah reiterated Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.’s commitment to empowering women with the skills required to achieve financial independence and join the workforce. He emphasized that the Pilot Projects represent a unique convergence of women, farming, and technology, in alignment with the company’s Rise philosophy.
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Details of Partnership
Under the partnership, MSDE and M&M will conduct two Pilot Projects at NSTI centers in Hyderabad and Noida, aiming to skill 500 women in exclusive batches.
The curriculum, approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), will be delivered by Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) instructors. Mahindra Group will provide initial set-up support and cover operating costs for the duration of the Pilot Projects.
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Scaling Up and Further Support
The outcomes of the Pilot Projects will aid MSDE in scaling up the Drone Didi Yojana across identified NSTIs/ITIs nationwide. Additionally, M&M will introduce Drone training for women at its skilling centers in Zaheerabad, Telangana, and Nagpur, Maharashtra, further supporting the objectives of the initiative.
Conclusion
The collaboration between MSDE and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. under the Drone Didi Yojana marks a significant step towards empowering women in agriculture and technology. By equipping women with drone-operating skills, this initiative not only opens new avenues for their economic empowerment but also contributes to the nation’s socio-economic growth.
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