Goa, June 7, 2025 – In a move aimed at empowering women farmers and boosting agricultural productivity, Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant unveiled the state’s inaugural agricultural drone today as part of the central government’s Drone Didi scheme.
The drone, designed for precise spraying of fertilizers and pesticides, was commissioned during the launch of the Kharif Mechanised Sowing of Paddy 2025 programme.
According to Chief Minister Sawant, the state is committed to harnessing technology to make Goa a “model of self‑reliant, tech‑enabled, farmer‑first development,” aligning with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Under the newly announced Drone Didi initiative in Goa, Goa plans to deploy 10 additional agricultural drones in the coming month, primarily operated by women from Self‑Help Groups (SHGs). The Drone Didi scheme, a ₹1,261 crore central sector programme launched in late 2023, aims to equip 15,000 women-led SHGs nationwide with drones, subsidising up to ₹8 lakhs per unit to provide precision agriculture services — such as spraying nano-fertilisers and pesticides — to local farmers and generate additional income.
According to official sources, the scheme not only subsidises drone procurement but also includes pilot training, technical assistance, insurance, and warranty support. Each SHG is expected to earn at least ₹1 lakh annually through drone services.
Trends across India suggest this digitally enabled approach is already making an impact. In Punjab, for example, women drone pilots report covering up to 10 acres per day and earning ₹4,500 daily, enhancing household income and earning respect in their communities.
Goa’s agricultural landscape presents both opportunities and challenges. While landholdings are fragmented and regulatory “red zones” along the coast might restrict drone operation, officials believe focused training, pilot licensing, and technology demonstrations will aid adoption.
Also unveiled today was Goa’s Kharif mechanised paddy sowing campaign, part of a wider agricultural policy that includes PM‑KISAN benefits, PM‑KUSUM support, Kisan Credit Cards, and the state’s own Amritkal Agricultural Policy 2025.
Bottom line: Goa’s launch of its first Agri-drone under the Drone Didi initiative in Goa signals a strategic push into precision agriculture, bolstering women’s participation in tech-led farming. With 10 additional drones set for deployment and integrated policy support, the state is charting a path toward sustainable, high-tech agriculture.
