Drone didis are India's 'sky warriors', ushering new revolution in agriculture: PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday while addressing 'Mann Ki Baat' commented on rising usage of drones by the women of India, saying they are ushering in a new revolution in agriculture

"Today, the women of the village are flying drones as Drone Didi and ushering in a new revolution in agriculture. These women are telling us that change comes when technology and determination go together," said PM Modi.

"Now these women are not known as 'drone operators' but as 'sky warriors," said PM Modi. He added that 'drone didis' bringing revolution to Indian agricultural practices.


India's agriculture sector is vital for the economy as it provides livelihood for 8% of families and ensure food security to 1.3 billion of people residing in the world's second most populous state. In fact, Indian agriculture is not just significant for the domestic market market but it is a key component of the global food supply chain as well.

India's drone revolution:
India aspiring to be the leader of Industry Revolution 4.0 has set the target of being a major global hub for drones by 2030.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation identified five key pillars that will allow India to be a drone hub in the next few years: Ease of Doing Business (Drone Rules 2021), financial incentives (PLI scheme), government as market maker (procurement by government), export liberalisation and domestic industry promotion (Import prohibition).

After the drone regulations, the ministry issued the drone airspace map and a PLI scheme in September 2021 and the UAS Traffic Management (UTM) policy framework in October 2021.The map published on September 24, 2021 opened nearly 90 per cent of Indian airspace as a green zone for drones flying up to 400 feet.

With the global drone market projected to reach $54 billion by 2025, India stands to capture a substantial share, potentially reaching $4.2 billion and expanding to $23 billion by 2030, as per the EY-FICCI report 'Making India the drone hub of the world.'

To achieve this lofty target, the government will have to overcome existing challenges currently affecting the drone industry.

The biggest challenge that India faces is the lack of a component ecosystem for drones due to which the domestic manufacturers have to depend on imported materials. The government's import ban aimed at promoting indigenous drone manufacturing excluded components from the restriction.