Evaluate how community para-extension models such as Krishi Sakhi and Drone Didi can bridge the gender gap in farm technology adoption.

About 80% of rural women work in agriculture and allied sectors, mostly as labourers or self-employed farmers [1]. Yet they often go unrecorded as farmers. Community para-extension sends trained women from self-help groups (SHGs) to other women farmers with advice and technology. It can narrow the gender gap in technology adoption, but only if land, credit and decision-making gaps are tackled alongside it.

How para-extension bridges the gap

• Peer delivery fixes the last-mile gap: MoA&FW and MoRD are jointly training 70,000 Krishi Sakhis [1]. Village women can reach other women where male-dominated extension systems often do not.
• Women own the technology: Namo Drone Didi offers SHGs 80% central assistance (up to ₹8 lakh) per drone, against a target of 15,000 drones [1]. Women become technology entrepreneurs, not just users.
• Built on existing institutions: The model rests on DAY-NRLM SHGs and 1,175 all-women FPOs [1], which pool demand, credit and training.
• Supporting subsidies: SMAM gives 50% assistance for drone purchase by women farmers. ICAR-CIWA develops drudgery-reducing, women-friendly tools [1].

Limitations

• Delivery lags the target: The first 500 drones were bought by fertiliser companies from their own funds. The remaining 14,500 were still due by the end of FY 2025-26 [2].
• Land titles decide eligibility: Women get only about 25% of PM-KISAN benefits [1]. Women without land papers struggle to get KCC credit to buy or use machines.
• Access, not ability, is the barrier: FAO finds a 24% productivity gap between women and men on farms of the same size, caused by unequal access to inputs [3]. Advice alone cannot close it.
• Headcounts over outcomes: Programmes track trained "beneficiaries" rather than gains in income or yield. FPOs need only one woman director [1].

Evaluation Para-extension is a strong demand-side and confidence-building tool. Supply-side gaps still blunt its effect: land, credit, and the actual delivery of machines.

In sum, Krishi Sakhi and Drone Didi turn women from invisible workers into visible agents of technology. Their reach would grow by delivering drones against published state-wise targets, applying land-neutral earmarks like the Pulses Mission's 20% share for women [1], and giving women a real say on FPO boards. In the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, such steps would advance SDG 5 and the Viksit Bharat @2047 goal.