Government Launches Digital Agriculture Mission
The Indian Government has officially approved the Digital Agriculture Mission, allocating ₹2,817 crores for its implementation. Set to roll out in September 2024, the mission aims to establish a comprehensive Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture, including initiatives like AgriStack and a Soil Fertility Profile Map. This initiative is designed to enhance access to timely and reliable crop-related information for farmers across the nation.
Key Components of the Digital Agriculture Mission
The Digital Agriculture Mission focuses on creating a robust digital ecosystem for farmers. Central to this initiative is the AgriStack DPI, which comprises three essential registries: Geo-Referenced Village Maps, Crop Sown Registry, and Farmers Registry. These databases will be developed and maintained by state governments and Union Territories, ensuring that farmers have access to accurate and up-to-date information. By 2026-27, the government aims to generate Farmer IDs for 11 crore farmers. As of March 28, 2025, approximately 4.85 crore Farmer IDs have already been issued. Additionally, the Digital Crop Survey has been conducted in 436 districts during the Kharif season of 2024, with further surveys covering over 23.90 crore plots in 461 districts for the Rabi season of 2024-25. This data collection is crucial for understanding agricultural trends and improving crop management.
Support and Resources for Implementation
The government is committed to providing both technical and financial support to states and Union Territories to ensure the successful implementation of the Digital Agriculture Mission. This includes the development of software for Farmer ID generation and Digital Crop Surveys, as well as training programs for state officials. Furthermore, the government is facilitating the hiring of personnel for Project Monitoring Units to oversee the mission’s progress. To bolster the initiative, the Department of Expenditure has announced a Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme for capital investment, with an allocation of ₹5,000 crores for 2024-25. As of March 28, 2025, ₹1,076 crores have been disbursed to six states: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. This funding is intended to enhance local agricultural infrastructure and support the mission’s objectives.
Encouraging Local Engagement and Verification
The government has introduced a Camp-mode approach, which encourages states to organize field-level camps to mobilize local administration and engage with farmers directly. Each camp will receive financial assistance of ₹15,000 to facilitate these efforts. Additionally, to expedite the creation and verification of the Farmers’ Registry, ₹10 per Farmer ID has been allocated from the PM KISAN Scheme’s administrative fund. This funding will provide honorariums to field functionaries involved in the registration process, ensuring that the initiative is carried out efficiently. This comprehensive strategy was outlined by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, in a recent Lok Sabha session, highlighting the government’s commitment to advancing digital agriculture in India.
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