R. ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, AUGUST 6
In a bold fusion of technology, women empowerment and futuristic agriculture, the Tamil Nadu Government on Thursday launched the pioneering ‘Vetri Vaanmagal’ scheme to create a new generation of certified women drone pilots, transforming women farmers into high-tech custodians of India’s next agricultural revolution while placing the State at the forefront of precision farming.
The landmark initiative was announced by Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister R. Vinoth while presenting the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Government’s first Agriculture Budget for 2026-27 in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
- ‘Vetri Vaanmagal’ to train women as certified agricultural drone pilots, ushering in a new era of precision farming and rural entrepreneurship
- 500 candidates, including 100 women, to receive professional drone pilot training through TNAU; 50 women to get drones at 50% subsidy
- Scheme aligns with the UN’s International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 and strengthens Tamil Nadu’s technology-driven agriculture mission
- Agriculture Budget 2026-27 blends innovation, women empowerment and mechanisation to address labour shortages and boost farm productivity
Designed to integrate cutting-edge drone technology into agriculture, the programme will train 500 eligible candidates, including 100 women, in professional drone operations through the Remote Pilot Training Organisation of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), enabling them to obtain certified drone pilot licences and emerge as skilled service providers in rural India.
To support the training programme, the State Government has allocated ₹1.50 crore, while an additional ₹2.50 crore has been earmarked to provide 50 trained women with agricultural drones at a 50 per cent subsidy, encouraging them to establish drone-based agricultural service enterprises.
Presenting the Budget, R. Vinoth said drone technology is rapidly transforming multiple sectors across India, including agriculture, construction, freight transportation, surveillance and disaster management, and has emerged as one of the country’s fastest-growing employment generators.
He noted that in agriculture, drones can substantially reduce dependence on manual labour by performing labour-intensive tasks such as spraying fertilisers and pesticides, monitoring crop health, assessing field conditions and enabling precision farming practices.
The Minister observed that the technology would be particularly valuable in addressing labour shortages during critical cultivation periods while improving operational efficiency, reducing input costs and enhancing productivity.
Highlighting the global significance of the initiative, Vinoth pointed out that the United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising the indispensable contribution of women to agriculture, rural livelihoods and global food security.
He said the scheme would equip women with specialised technical skills while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities through drone-based agricultural services, thereby strengthening their economic independence.
Drawing a powerful analogy with the Government’s flagship women-centric initiatives, the Minister said:
“Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who established the ‘Singappen’ force for women’s protection, is now creating a ‘Vaanmagal Force’ to support and safeguard agriculture.”
The Government believes the initiative will nurture a new cadre of professionally trained women drone operators capable of delivering precision agriculture services across Tamil Nadu while accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies in farming.
The scheme is also expected to support the State’s broader vision of promoting climate-smart agriculture, improving resource-use efficiency and encouraging mechanisation to enhance farm productivity and sustainability.
Agricultural experts note that drone technology has become an increasingly important component of modern farming, enabling accurate spraying of fertilisers and crop protection chemicals, real-time crop surveillance, pest detection, nutrient mapping and precision resource management. The Centre has also been encouraging drone adoption through initiatives such as the Namo Drone Didi programme and the liberalised Drone Rules, positioning drones as a key pillar of India’s agricultural modernisation.
With the launch of ‘Vetri Vaanmagal’, Tamil Nadu has taken a decisive step towards combining women’s empowerment with advanced agricultural technology, creating a model that could inspire similar initiatives across the country and redefine the future of rural livelihoods.
