Government launches Rs 2817 crore Digital Agriculture Mission to empower Indian agriculture with digital revolution

New Delhi - In a significant step towards modernizing the agriculture sector, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with a total outlay of Rs. 2817 crore. This mission includes a central share of Rs. 1940 crore and aims to support various digital initiatives that will transform Indian agriculture.

The Digital Agriculture Mission is envisioned as an umbrella scheme to drive the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in agriculture, implement the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and introduce other IT-based initiatives across Central and State Governments, as well as academic and research institutions.

India has seen a digital revolution in recent years, which has significantly improved governance and service delivery in various sectors like finance, healthcare, education, and retail. The success of these digital initiatives has established India as a global frontrunner in delivering citizen-centric digital solutions. The government now aims to replicate this success in the agriculture sector through the Digital Agriculture Mission.

Key Features of the Digital Agriculture Mission:

1. Agristack: A farmer-focused Digital Public Infrastructure designed to streamline and expedite the delivery of services and schemes to farmers. It involves creating a unique Farmer ID linked to land records, livestock ownership, and other relevant data, simplifying farmers' access to government benefits and services.
2. Krishi Decision Support System (DSS): A geospatial system that will unify information on crops, soil, weather, and water resources to support decision-making in agriculture.
3. Soil Profile Mapping: Detailed soil maps on a 1:10,000 scale will cover approximately 142 million hectares of agricultural land, helping in better soil management practices.
4. Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES): This survey will offer yield estimates derived from scientifically designed crop-cutting experiments, enhancing the precision of agricultural production forecasts.

Impact and Implementation:

The Digital Agriculture Mission is expected to create both direct and indirect employment opportunities in the agriculture sector. For instance, digital crop surveys and data collection for remote sensing are projected to employ around 2.5 lakh trained local youth and Krishi Sakhis.

The mission's components will be implemented at the grassroots level, with farmers being the primary beneficiaries. By leveraging trustworthy data on farmers, farmlands, and crops, and using advanced digital technologies like data analytics, artificial intelligence, and remote sensing, the mission aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of service delivery mechanisms in agriculture.

Farmers will benefit from easier access to government schemes, crop loans, personalized advisories, and real-time services without the need for cumbersome paperwork or frequent visits to offices. The data-driven approach will also help government agencies improve the efficiency and transparency of schemes like MSP-based procurement, crop insurance, and credit-linked loans.

In line with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the Digital Agriculture Mission is set to significantly reshape India's agricultural landscape, guaranteeing that farmers receive timely and precise guidance and services.