On fields across rural Maharashtra, a new kind of farming is taking off: women pilots guiding drones to monitor crops and apply treatments with precision.

From Jalna to Dharashiv, the hum of small drones has become a sign of a broader push to make agriculture cleaner, more efficient, and more inclusive.

The initiative, part of the ProRISE program backed by Walmart Foundation, is led by Watershed Organisation Trust WOTR in Pune. It has already trained women to become certified drone pilots who can lead precision spraying and crop monitoring on farms, driving climate-resilient farming systems.

The program has reached about 2,100 farmers so far, with nearly 29 percent more expected to benefit by next month. Initial outreach focused in Jalna and Dharashiv, and the plan is to scale this model across western India and beyond. According to The Free Press Journal, the ProRISE initiative aims to expand this approach through farmer-producer organisations that purchase drones for their groups, ensuring long-term ownership and sustainability.

In practice, drones cut labor and time, reduce chemical use through targeted spraying, and improve pest management. Early results in Jalna and Dharashiv show tangible gains for both women pilots and local farmers, with fewer trips to fields and smarter input use.

Sandip Jadhav, director at WOTR, emphasizes that the program seeks to empower rural women with advanced tools and skills so they can build livelihoods while boosting farm productivity. He notes that training women as drone pilots creates a ripple effect, elevating communities through better practices and new opportunities.

Nishant Gupta, social and environmental impact advisor at Walmart, adds that innovation and inclusivity can drive meaningful change. By equipping rural women with high-demand skills, the partnership aims to expand opportunities and promote sustainable farming practices that endure beyond a single season.

For the drone sector, this model signals a scalable path where technology, finance, and gender inclusion converge to reshape agriculture. Policymakers in India are watching how training, ownership models, and measurable outcomes unfold as programs like ProRISE test new approaches to adoption and accountability. The broader benefits go beyond yields, touching on safer chemical use and reduced field labor across rural economies.

Key takeaways for the sector

• Drone-enabled farming is moving from pilots to community-owned assets through FPOs
• Women-led drone programs open new livelihoods and promote gender equity
• Public-private partnerships accelerate adoption and scale

FAQ

Q1: What is ProRISE? A Walmart Foundation supported initiative run by WOTR to train rural women as drone pilots and introduce precision agriculture.

Q2: How can farmers access drone services? FPOs in participating regions can purchase drones through the program and coordinate drone-based spray and crop monitoring for their members.

Conclusion

The Maharashtra program demonstrates how drone technology, inclusive training, and farmer-owned ownership can reshape rural agriculture, empowering women while boosting sustainability. If this model scales, it could become a blueprint for other states pursuing climate-resilient farming and stronger rural economies.