DC hands over drones to four trained women pilots

Ludhiana: Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney on Tuesday handed over drones to four women pilots – Mandeep Kaur, Simranjit Kaur, Rupinder Kaur, and Gurinder Kaur in the district administrative complex, here.

    Congratulating the women who have come from different parts of Ludhiana, Sawhney informed that they have undergone a comprehensive training program conducted by IFFCO. Each drone system consists of an electrical vehicle and generator that costs Rs 15 lakh and has been given to them free of cost. This project aims to boost their self-confidence and encourage active participation in the latest agricultural endeavors. She also emphasized that economically empowered women would contribute to the development of the state and nation.

    State Head of IFFCO, Harmail Singh Sidhu, said that these skilled female pilots, known as ‘Namo drone Didis,’ would help to achieve higher productivity, enhanced crop health, and reduced environmental impact using Nano Urea and Nano DAP with drones. He said that with drones, spray can be done on one-acre area within seven minutes. This initiative is part of the STREE Project, HDFC Bank Parivartan, and GT Bharat in collaboration with IFFCO, which aims to revolutionize agricultural practices and promote women’s empowerment in agriculture.

    Singh further added that these beneficiaries have undergone a comprehensive training program conducted by IFFCO in Manesar and have also received two days of on-farm training in Barundi village, focusing on adept handling and operational techniques of drone technology.

    Prominent among those present on the occasion included Sukhjinder Singh, Jagtar Singh, Gurmaij Singh from IFFCO, PSRLM DPM Gagandeep Singh, and Manpreet Singh, Kundan Kumar, Managers and consultant Santokh Singh from Grant Thornton.