Union Cabinet Approves ₹2,817 Crore Digital Agriculture Mission to Revolutionize Farming with Advanced Digital Infrastructure

(Source: Indian Express; Section: Explained; Page: 12)

 Analysis of News:              

Mission Components

AgriStack:

• Farmers’ Registry: A digital identity, similar to Aadhaar, will be created for each farmer, linking their data on land, crops, livestock, etc. Pilot projects have been carried out in six districts.
• Crop Sown Registry: Digital Crop Surveys will record crop details for each season. It is set to cover 400 districts in 2024-25 and the rest by 2025-26.
• Geo-Referenced Village Maps: These will connect land records to their physical locations.

Krishi Decision Support System (DSS):

• A geospatial system combining data on crops, soil, weather, and water resources to support crop mapping, drought/flood monitoring, and yield assessment.

Soil Profile Maps:

• Detailed maps of about 142 million hectares of agricultural land, with 29 million hectares already completed.

Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES):

• Aims to enhance the accuracy of crop yield estimates, addressing current concerns about data robustness. This will support more efficient schemes like MSP-based procurement and crop insurance.

Background and Funding

• The Mission, initially planned for 2021-22, was delayed due to COVID-19. With a budget of ₹2,817 crore, ₹1,940 crore will be funded by the central government, and the rest by states and UTs. The initiative is part of the Agriculture Ministry’s activities during the Modi government’s first 100 days in its third term.

Impact on Farmers and the Farm Sector

• Efficiency: Digital identities and services will streamline access to benefits, reducing paperwork and the need for physical office visits.
• Transparency: Improved crop data will make processes like MSP procurement, insurance claims, and credit more transparent.
• Informed Decisions: Farmers will have better access to information on crops, soil, and weather, enabling them to make informed decisions, optimize resources, and adapt to climate conditions.
• Data-Driven Policies: The government can use robust data for more accurate agricultural policies and initiatives, ensuring balanced fertilizer use and efficient irrigation.

The Digital Agriculture Mission is expected to transform the farm sector by integrating cutting-edge digital technologies, leading to a more efficient, transparent, and data-driven agricultural ecosystem.