Digital Agriculture Mission

Transforming Indian Agriculture through Technology

The Government of India has launched the Digital Agriculture Mission on 2nd September 2024, with an ambitious outlay of ₹2,817 crore. This initiative aims to revolutionize Indian agriculture by fostering a robust digital ecosystem, delivering farmer-centric solutions, and ensuring timely, accurate crop-related information for all farmers across the country.

Key Objectives of the Digital Agriculture Mission

1. Enable Digital Transformation:

   • Build a comprehensive digital agriculture ecosystem to enhance agricultural productivity and decision-making.

2. Promote Innovation:

   • Drive innovative, farmer-centric digital solutions tailored to the unique needs of Indian agriculture.

3. Empower Farmers with Data:

   • Provide timely and reliable crop-related information to farmers, aiding better planning and management.

Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture

The Mission envisions the development of critical infrastructure, including:

1. Agristack:
   A flagship project comprising three foundational registries:

   • Farmers’ Registry: A database of farmers for personalized services.
   • Geo-referenced Village Maps: Mapping villages to support precise interventions.
   • Crop Sown Registry: Tracking crops sown across the country for informed policy decisions.

2. Krishi Decision Support System (Krishi DSS):
   A platform for real-time agricultural data to guide farmers and policymakers.

3. Comprehensive Soil Fertility & Profile Map:
   A detailed mapping initiative to provide location-specific soil health data.

4. IT Initiatives by Central and State Governments:
   Integration of existing digital programs to streamline agricultural operations.

Progress Achieved as of December 2024

• Farmer IDs Created: A total of 29,99,306 Farmer IDs have been generated under the Mission.
• Digital Crop Survey: Successfully conducted in 436 districts during Kharif 2024, offering critical insights into crop patterns and productivity.
• Federated Structure:
  • Agristack operates as a federated system, with data ownership resting solely with State Governments and Union Territories.
  • Designed with robust privacy measures adhering to the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.

Support for States and Union Territories

The Central Government is committed to providing administrative and technical support to States and UTs for the successful implementation of the Digital Agriculture Mission. This ensures seamless integration of digital tools and efficient management of agricultural data.

Significance of the Digital Agriculture Mission

1. Enhanced Efficiency:
   Digital tools and data-driven decision-making optimize resource use and agricultural processes.

2. Empowered Farmers:
   Farmers gain access to accurate, real-time information, enabling better crop management and higher yields.

3. Data Privacy:
   With the federated model and adherence to the DPDP Act, farmers’ data is secure, fostering trust in the system.

4. Sustainable Agriculture:
   Insights from digital tools promote environmentally sustainable practices and resource conservation.

The Digital Agriculture Mission is a landmark initiative that aligns with India’s vision of transforming agriculture into a data-driven, technology-enabled sector. By empowering farmers and leveraging digital innovations, the Mission paves the way for a smarter, more resilient agricultural future.