Bhubaneswar: The Government of India has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to modernize the country’s agricultural sector with the nationwide launch of the Digital Crop Survey.
This significant campaign aims to create a comprehensive and real-time database of agricultural land and cropping patterns, which will serve as a crucial tool for better policy planning, resource allocation, and targeted support for farmers.
Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, has urged farmers to actively participate in this digital drive.
“Farmer brothers and sisters, please provide complete details of your agricultural land to the surveyors, such as the type of land, its area, the name of the crop, and the amount of irrigation, and participate in this campaign,” Dr. Padhee stated.
A Digital Leap for Indian Agriculture
The Digital Crop Survey (DCS) is a key component of the government’s broader “Agri Stack” and “Digital Agriculture Mission,” which seeks to leverage technology to create a more efficient and transparent agricultural ecosystem. The survey utilizes a mobile-based system that allows surveyors to collect crop-sown details directly from the field, often with the use of geo-fencing and satellite imagery. This technology-driven approach ensures the data is accurate, up-to-date, and verifiable.
The data collected through the survey will be instrumental in:
- Accurate Crop Production Estimates: Providing a precise, real-time picture of crop areas, which will help in formulating accurate production estimates.
- Targeted Delivery of Government Schemes: Enabling a more streamlined and transparent delivery of benefits under various schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), PM-Kisan, and agricultural credit.
- Informed Policy Making: Offering policymakers valuable insights to formulate effective agricultural policies, manage resources, and address challenges like crop failures and pest outbreaks.
- Improving Farmer Services: Facilitating the development of customized advisory services for farmers on crop planning, health, and irrigation.
Data Privacy and Inclusivity at the Forefront
The government has assured farmers that their data privacy and security are paramount. The Agri Stack initiative has been developed in strict accordance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, ensuring that farmers’ data is collected only with their consent. Farmers have full control over their information, which is shared only with authorized entities for specific purposes.
To ensure that no farmer is left behind, the government has also taken steps for digital inclusion. For those without access to mobile phones, support structures like Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Krishi Sakhis, and Common Service Centres (CSCs) are available to assist with the registration process.
The Digital Crop Survey marks a transformative step towards building a data-driven and resilient agricultural sector in India, empowering farmers and fostering a new era of growth and prosperity.