Tripura's Minister for Tribal Welfare, Bikash Debbarma, held a crucial meeting with the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, in New Delhi on Wednesday. The central agenda was to advance development projects designed to uplift the socio-economic status of indigenous communities in the northeastern state.
Drone Training: A Flight Towards Self-Reliance
During the discussions, Minister Debbarma formally sought the Union ministry's approval for a pioneering Drone Pilot Training Project specifically for tribal youths in Tripura. He presented this initiative as a potentially transformative step for the state's tribal population. The core idea is to integrate advanced drone technology into the agricultural sector by providing comprehensive training to tribal youth and women, enabling them to become certified drone pilots.
The programme would focus on practical applications such as drone-based spraying of fertilizers and pesticides and conducting agricultural surveys. With around 32 per cent of Tripura's population belonging to tribal communities, and agriculture being their primary livelihood, this intervention targets a critical sector. However, a significant challenge persists: over 75 per cent of tribal farmers continue to depend on traditional, labor-intensive farming methods, which leads to subdued productivity and restricted financial growth.
High Earnings and a Tech-Driven Future
Debbarma elaborated on the project's potential impact, stating that the structured training could empower participants to earn up to Rs 1 lakh per month. This offers a sustainable, technology-based livelihood option, especially for those living in the remote hill interiors of the state. The minister stressed that the project's vision extends beyond simple skill development. He framed it as a route to self-reliance and dignity for tribal communities, allowing them to actively participate in India's evolving tech-enabled agricultural landscape.
Transforming Tribal Agriculture and Beyond
The proposed initiative is expected to have a multi-faceted positive impact. Primarily, it aims to modernize farming techniques in tribal regions, which should lead to a direct increase in crop productivity and farmer incomes. By reducing reliance on outdated and strenuous practices, it also promises to improve working conditions.
On a broader scale, the project is positioned to help Tripura's tribal population become integral contributors to the nation's digital and technology-driven growth story. By empowering tribal youth with cutting-edge skills, the state hopes to bridge the technological gap and foster inclusive economic development. The meeting in Delhi marks a significant step towards turning this vision for a technologically empowered tribal agrarian community into reality.
