DIGITAL AGRICULTURE MISSION
On September 2, the Union Cabinet approved the Rs 2,817-crore Digital Agriculture Mission aimed at creating Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the agricultural sector.
This initiative follows the success of similar e-governance projects like Aadhaar and UPI.
OBJECTIVES
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI):
- The DPI Mission will integrate advanced technology into agriculture, including 3 major components:
i. AgriStack,
ii. Krishi Decision Support System (DSS),
iii. Soil Profile Maps.
- The mission will also establish the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES) for accurate agricultural production estimates.
COMPONENTS
1. AgriStack:
- Farmers’ Registry:
- Purpose: Create a digital identity for farmers, similar to Aadhaar, to centralize information on land ownership, crops, livestock, and demographics.
- Implementation: Farmers will receive a digital ID that links to a comprehensive database containing their personal and agricultural details. This system aims to simplify interactions with government schemes and services.
- Pilot Projects: Trials have been conducted in districts such as Farrukhabad (Uttar Pradesh) and Gandhinagar (Gujarat). The goal is to create digital IDs for 11 crore farmers, with 6 crore targeted in the current financial year and the rest in subsequent years.
- Funding: Rs 5,000 crore has been allocated separately for state incentives to develop the Farmers’ Registry.
- Crop Sown Registry:
- Purpose: Track and record crop planting information through digital surveys.
- Method: Mobile-based ground surveys will be used to gather data each crop season. This registry will help in assessing crop patterns and planning agricultural policies.
- Pilot Projects: Conducted across 11 states in 2023-24, with plans to expand to 400 districts in the current financial year and the rest in 2025-26.
- Geo-referenced Village Maps:
- Purpose: Link geographic data with land records to provide accurate mapping of agricultural areas.
- Details: These maps will integrate land records with physical locations, improving land management and agricultural planning.
2. Krishi Decision Support System (DSS):
- Purpose: Develop a geospatial system that integrates information on crops, soil, weather, and water resources.
- Features:
- Crop Mapping: Generate detailed crop maps to identify planting patterns and monitor agricultural trends.
- Disaster Monitoring: Track droughts, floods, and other environmental factors affecting crops.
- Yield Assessment: Use data to estimate crop yields, aiding in insurance claims and policy formulation.
3. Soil Profile Maps:
- Purpose: Create detailed soil maps to enhance soil management and agricultural productivity.
- Details:
- Scale: Maps will be produced on a 1:10,000 scale, covering 142 million hectares of agricultural land.
- Progress: A soil profile inventory of 29 million hectares has already been completed, with further mapping underway.
DIGITAL GENERAL CROP ESTIMATION SURVEY
- Purpose: Improve the accuracy of crop yield estimates to support agricultural policies and services.
- Features:
- Data Collection: Use scientifically designed crop-cutting experiments and remote sensing data to estimate yields.
- Benefits: Provide accurate data for Minimum Support Price (MSP)-based procurement, crop insurance, and credit-linked loans. Facilitate balanced use of fertilizers and improve irrigation practices.
FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION
- Budget Allocation: Rs 2,817 crore allocated, with Rs 1,940 crore from the central government and the remainder from state governments and Union Territories (UTs).
- Timeline: The mission will be rolled out over 2 years, concluding in 2025-26. Originally planned for 2021-22, the launch was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Current Status: Pilot projects are in progress, and the mission is part of the Agriculture Ministry’s goals for the first 100 days of the Modi government’s third term.
IMPACT ON FARMERS & AGRICULTURE
- Enhanced Efficiency: Streamlined access to services and benefits through digital platforms will reduce paperwork and physical visits.
- Improved Data Accuracy: Better crop estimates and soil profiles will support more effective agricultural policies and resource management.
- Empowerment: Digital tools will empower farmers with accurate information and services, leading to better decision-making and increased productivity.
Note: Connect with Vajirao & Reddy Institute to keep yourself updated with latest UPSC Current Affairs in English.
Note: We upload Current Affairs Except Sunday.
