The Rs 2,800 crore Digital Agriculture Mission is a significant initiative of the new Govt. It will be rolled out over the next two years (till 2025-26).
Here are the key details:
Objective: The mission aims to encourage and accelerate the use of digital technologies in agriculture, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, remote sensing, robots, and drones.
Components:
Farmers’ Registry: Every farmer will be given a unique ID, facilitating access to government schemes like PM-Kisan and Fasal Bima Yojana, as well as financial services like farm loans and insurance.
Crop Sown Registry: Records crops sown by farmers on their land, aiding better planning and crop production estimation.
Georeferencing of Village Maps: Enhances spatial understanding for effective agricultural planning.
Budget: A budgetary allocation of Rs 2,800 crore has been made for the mission, which will be rolled out over the next two years (till 2025-26)13.
Pilot Projects: Pilot projects have already begun in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu1.
The mission holds promise for transforming India’s agriculture sector through digital innovation!
Importance of the mission
- The adoption of digital technologies can help India to increase agricultural productivity, reduce waste, increase agricultural export, increase farmers’ income and improve food and nutrition security.
- Apart from this, this will help in protecting the environment and sustainable development of the overall agricultural sector.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be a tool for farmers to detect crop anomalies , predict the weather,analyze soil quality, and provide required solutions
- Therefore ,The Digital Agriculture Mission aims to encourage and speed up projects based on cutting-edge technologies, including AI, blockchain, remote sensing, robots, and drones.
How will this benefit farmers?
The Digital Agriculture Mission holds several benefits for farmers:
Access to Schemes: With a unique farmer ID, they can easily access government schemes like PM-Kisan and Fasal Bima Yojana, ensuring financial support and risk coverage.
Improved Planning: The crop sown registry helps in better planning by tracking which crops are sown where, leading to efficient resource allocation.
Spatial Understanding: Georeferencing of village maps aids in targeted interventions, such as soil health management and pest control.
Technology Adoption: By promoting digital tools like AI, blockchain, and drones, farmers can enhance productivity and reduce risks.
Overall, this mission aims to empower farmers through technology, making agriculture more efficient and sustainable
What are the challenges in implementing this mission?
Implementing the Digital Agriculture Mission faces several challenges:
Infrastructure: Ensuring robust digital infrastructure, including internet connectivity and reliable power supply, especially in rural areas.
Farmer Awareness: Educating farmers about the benefits of digital tools and encouraging their adoption.
Data Privacy: Safeguarding farmer data while creating registries and databases.
Interoperability: Ensuring compatibility between different digital platforms and systems.
Capacity Building: Training farmers and extension workers to effectively use digital technologies.
Despite these challenges, the mission’s potential impact on agriculture is promising!
