Indian AgTech Company Marut Drones Showcases How Drone Technology is Transforming Lives and Breaking Gender Barriers in Agriculture
by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb
Marut Drones, an Indian developer of agriculture-focused UAVs, recently announced that their partnership with the Indian government to train rural women to use drones had received an important visit from Bill Gates, Chairman of the Gates Foundation and former Microsoft CEO. Gates visited the Indian Agricultural Research Institute’s (IARI) Pusa Campus located in New Delhi, where he witnessed a demonstration of flight training for rural women, trained under the Indian government’s Namo Drone Didi Scheme by Marut Drones.
The demonstration featured rural women flying Marut AG365 Drones, a multi-utility UAV that features a six-propeller setup and a maximum 22 minute flight time. The AG365 was the first agriculture-focused drone to receive approval from the DGCA, India’s civil aviation authority.
The Namo Drone Didi Scheme was instituted in 2023, provisioning funds to train rural women in drone skills, increasing their independence within their communities and providing new opportunities for economic development. The resulting increase in income has massive impacts on impoverished rural families, showing the power of drone technology to create upward mobility.
Prem Kumar Vislawath, CEO and Co-Founder of Marut Drones, said, “It’s a proud moment to see the women trained by Marut Drones are interacting with Mr. Bill Gates. Watching them operate drones confidently truly reflects how technology can ensure economic empowerment and break barriers of a traditionally male-dominated industry. The presence of global leaders like Mr. Bill Gates, visiting India and witnessing firsthand the impact of drone technology at the grassroots level is a strong validation of how India’s drone ecosystem is truly challenging the gender norms in rural India and creating financially independent women entrepreneurs.”
Marut Drones provided training to all three operators, including refresher courses, and is an active participant in the Drone Didi program. Marut Drones is the first company in India to receive dual DGCA approval for manufacturing and remote pilot training.
More information on Marut Drones is available here.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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