Government launches Krishi-DSS, agriculture sector will get digital lifeline

The government has launched the Krishi-Decision Support System (DSS), a cutting-edge digital geospatial platform, utilizing space technology to transform the agricultural sector. Announced on Friday, this new system will support various functions including digital crop surveys, precise yield estimations, crop damage assessments, soil evaluations, and processing weather-related data, thereby enhancing decision-making capabilities for farmers and stakeholders.

Clear Crop Insights via a Large-Screen Dashboard

The Krishi-DSS will offer a detailed view of crops planted across the country during different agricultural seasons. All relevant data, including ground truth information, will be accessible on a single platform and displayed through a large-screen dashboard at the Krishi Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) located at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Krishi Bhawan. This data can be accessed from anywhere, at any time.

Digital Crop Survey to Span 400 Districts

Junior Agriculture Minister Bhagirath Choudhary officially launched the Krishi-DSS, marking a significant advancement in implementing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture. This initiative aims to cover farmers and their land records. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the DPI's agricultural implementation during her Budget speech on July 23, specifying that digital crop surveys for Kharif (summer) crops will be conducted across 400 districts.

A Comprehensive Data Platform for Agriculture

Designed specifically for agriculture, the Krishi-DSS platform provides seamless access to a wealth of data, including satellite images, weather updates, reservoir storage, groundwater levels, and soil health information. It also offers insights into crop production forecasting, drought monitoring, crop health assessments, and data on crop stress and damage, which can be leveraged for crop insurance solutions.

Additionally, the platform will foster sustainable agriculture by promoting diverse crop cultivation and offering timely advisories on pest infestations, heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and other critical factors. Current data includes information on crops such as paddy, sugarcane, wheat, cotton, soybean, mustard, gram, lentil, and potato, as part of the FASAL 2.0 initiatives.

Read More... Indian Agricultural Water Resources and Challenges