Syllabus GS III Storage, Transport and Marketing of Agricultural Produce and Issues and Related Constraints; E-technology in the aid of farmers.
What are the primary goals of India’s Digital Agriculture Mission, and how can it revolutionize the nation’s agricultural landscape?
(15 marks, 250 words)
India’s Digital Agriculture Mission: Objectives and Transformative Impact
The Union Cabinet recently approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with an allocation of ₹2,817 crore. This initiative aims to create Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the agricultural sector, drawing inspiration from successful e-governance projects like Aadhaar, DigiLocker, UPI, and electronic health records. By integrating technology into farming, the mission seeks to modernize agriculture, ensure transparency, and provide farmer-centric solutions.
About the Digital Agriculture Mission
The mission focuses on building three core DPIs:
- Agristack
- Krishi Decision Support System (Krishi DSS)
- Soil Profile Mapping
Additionally, the initiative introduces a tech-based system called the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES) to enhance the accuracy of agricultural production estimates.
1. Agristack
Agristack is a farmer-centric DPI designed to streamline service delivery and improve access to schemes. It includes three foundational registries:
- Farmers’ Registry:
- Provides farmers with a digital identity, similar to Aadhaar, linked to their land records, crops sown, family details, and benefits availed.
- Aims to create digital identities for 11 crore farmers by 2026-27, enabling them to authenticate and access services digitally without paperwork.
- Crop Sown Registry:
- Records details of crops grown by farmers using mobile-based Digital Crop Surveys conducted each crop season.
- Geo-referenced Village Maps:
- Links geographic information with land records, enabling precise location mapping.
2. Krishi DSS
This system provides a comprehensive geospatial platform that integrates data on crops, soil, weather, and water resources. It supports:
- Mapping crop patterns.
- Monitoring droughts and floods.
- Yield assessment for settling crop insurance claims.
3. Soil Profile Mapping
Detailed soil profile maps (1:10,000 scale) are being developed for approximately 142 million hectares of agricultural land. About 29 million hectares have already been mapped. This data will enable informed decision-making for sustainable soil management.
Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES)
DGCES aims to address the inaccuracies in India’s agricultural production estimates. By using digital tools, it will improve data robustness, aiding:
- Transparent and paperless MSP-based procurement.
- Efficient crop insurance and loan systems.
- Balanced use of fertilizers.
Expected Impacts of the Mission
1. Employment Generation
The mission will create direct and indirect employment opportunities, especially through digital initiatives:
- Around 2.5 lakh trained local youth and Krishi Sakhis will be employed in conducting digital crop surveys and collecting ground-truthed data.
2. Empowering Farmers
Farmers will benefit from improved access to schemes, real-time advisories, and market linkages through digital platforms, reducing paperwork and physical visits.
3. Leveraging Modern Technologies
Advanced tools like data analytics, artificial intelligence, and remote sensing will enhance service delivery and operational transparency.
4. Efficiency and Transparency in Government Services
- Improved MSP procurement, crop insurance, and credit-linked crop loans.
- Accurate crop production estimates and data-driven decision-making.
5. Support for Crop Diversification and Irrigation Needs
The mission will enable precise evaluation of irrigation requirements and promote crop diversification based on regional conditions.
6. Strengthening Agricultural Value Chains
The developed infrastructure will facilitate efficient value chains for both agricultural inputs and post-harvest processes.
Conclusion
The Digital Agriculture Mission is poised to revolutionize India’s agricultural sector by integrating technology with traditional practices. It not only enhances efficiency and transparency but also aligns with the Digital India initiative and the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). This mission is a crucial step towards modernizing agriculture and ensuring sustainable development for farmers and the nation.
