Digital Agriculture Mission
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Why in discussion?
On September 2, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with a budget allocation of Rs 2,817 crore, out of which the Central Government will contribute Rs 1,940 crore.
This mission focuses on revolutionizing India's agriculture sector by developing a robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and using advanced technologies.
Digital Agriculture Mission
Digital agriculture refers to the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and data ecosystems to provide timely, targeted information and services that increase the profitability and sustainability of farming, as well as secure for all. Ensures supply of nutritious and affordable food.
The Digital Agriculture Mission is structured as a comprehensive plan to support several digital agriculture initiatives.
These initiatives include development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), implementation of Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES) and support of IT efforts by Central and State Governments as well as academic and research institutions.
Mission component
The mission aims to support a range of digital agriculture initiatives and is based on 2 key pillars:
- Agristack
- Agricultural decision support system
Agristack : Identification of farmers
- Registry of farmers
Farmers will get a digital identity similar to Aadhaar, known as 'Kisan ID'.
This ID will be dynamically linked to records such as land ownership, livestock, crops sown, demographic and family details, and the schemes and benefits availed by them.
The mission aims to create digital IDs for 11 crore farmers in a phased manner by FY 2026-27.
- Crop Sown Registry
It will capture details of crops planted by farmers through mobile-based digital surveys, thereby increasing the accuracy of crop data.
- Pilot project
The pilot initiative for Agristack has been implemented in 6 states:
- Uttar Pradesh (Farrukhabad) - Gujarat (Gandhinagar)
- Maharashtra (Beed) - Haryana (Yamuna Nagar)
- Punjab (Fatehgarh Sahib) - Tamil Nadu (Virudhunagar)
- Digital crop survey
A nationwide digital crop survey will be launched in two years, covering 400 districts by FY 2024-25 and all districts by FY 2025-26.
Agricultural decision support system
A comprehensive geospatial system is developed by integrating remote sensing data with crop, soil, weather and water resource information.
It facilitates crop mapping, drought and flood monitoring and yield estimation, helping to improve the accuracy of crop insurance claims and resource management.
Other plans
Apart from the Digital Agriculture Mission, the Cabinet approved six other schemes with a total budget of Rs 14,235.30 crore. These include:
- Rs 3,979 crore for crop science to ensure food security and climate resilience till 2047.
- Rs 2,291 crore for enhancing agricultural education, management and social sciences.
- Rs 1,702 crore to promote sustainable livestock health and production.
Benefits of Digital Agriculture Mission
- Crop insurance
Digital platforms simplify the enrollment and claim process for crop insurance schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
- E-learning platform
These platforms provide training and educational resources to help farmers adopt modern farming techniques.
For example :- Kisan Suvidha App's interface is easy to use and it provides important information on five key areas: weather, input dealers, market prices, plant protection and expert advice.
- Agri-Tech Startup
Platforms like Dehat and Agrostar equip farmers with digital tools to access market information, advisory services and direct sales channels, increasing their bargaining power and income.
- Weather forecast
Advanced weather forecasting tools provide timely updates on weather conditions, enabling farmers to plan more effectively and reduce risk.
Challenges associated with Digital Agriculture Mission
- Lack of digital literacy among farmers
Many farmers, especially small and marginal farmers, do not have the necessary skills to use digital tools efficiently.
According to a Nasscom report, only 2% of Indian farmers use farm-related apps.
- Lack of content in local language
Many digital agriculture services are not available in local languages, making them less accessible to many farmers.
- Digital divide and infrastructure challenges
Many rural areas suffer from unreliable internet and electricity, creating barriers to the adoption of digital technologies.
Next step
- Promote digital literacy
Initiate training programs aimed at promoting digital skills among farmers, emphasizing practical use and easy-to-navigate platforms.
The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Literacy Campaign (PMGDisha) can be adapted to include agriculture-specific digital training.
- Develop user-friendly, multilingual apps
Establish a standardized framework for agricultural applications that includes support for all major Indian languages. Promote the development of voice-activated interfaces to make technology more accessible to farmers with limited literacy.
- Strengthen rural digital infrastructure
Speed ββ the implementation of the Bharatnet project to provide high-speed internet to all Gram Panchayats. Support public-private partnerships to set up digital kiosks and mobile internet access points in rural communities.
