Launch of Rs 2800 Crore Digital Agri Mission

The Government has launched a Rs 2800 crore Digital Agri Mission as part of its agenda for the first 100 days.

About the Digital Agri Mission

The Digital Agri Mission aims to encourage and accelerate the use of digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, remote sensing, robots, and drones in agriculture.

• • The Mission will pave the way for creation of a nationwide farmers registry, crop sown registry, and georeferencing of village maps.
• Timespan: It will be rolled out over the next two years (till 2025-26). 
• Components of the Mission: 
  • Farmers Registry: To create a farmers’ registry, in which every farmer will be given a unique ID. Example- Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have already started generation of farmers’ ID.
    • Significance of Unique farmer ID:  The unique farmer ID will allow launch of new value-added services and farmers will be able to avail various government schemes including PM-Kisan and Fasal Bima Yojana through this ID. 
    • It will also enable them to avail financial services like farm loans and insurance.
  • Crop Sown Registry: The mission also envisages a crop sown registry. 
    • This will have a record of crops sown by a farmer on his land. 
    • It will help better planning and estimation of crop production.
  • India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA): The Department is finalising a framework for creating an “Agristack” in the country. This Agristack will serve as a foundation for building innovative agri-focused solutions using digital technologies. 
  • Unified Farmers Service Interface (UFSI): This aims to provide a unified platform for farmers to access various services related to weather, market prices, agro-advisory, and more.
  • Funding to States for New Technology (NeGPA): Funds are released to states and union territories for projects involving modern technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT, and robotics.
  • Revamping Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC): Enhancing crop forecasting capabilities using technology.
  • Soil Health, Fertility, and Profile Mapping: Leveraging digital tools to assess soil health and fertility.
• Pilot Projects: The pilot project has been undertaken across 6 districts — Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh, Beed in Maharashtra, Gandhinagar in Gujarat, Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab, and Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu.

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