The Department has constituted a High Level Task Force, which is in the process of finalizing “India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA) report. Task Force invited comments from subject experts, farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and general public and considered them.
Based on this, the Department is in the process of finalizing a framework for creating Agristack in the country, which will serve as a foundation to build innovative agri-focused solutions leveraging digital technologies to contribute effectively towards increasing the income of farmers and improve efficiency of the Agriculture sector in the country.
Once finalized, this can serve as a foundation to build innovative agri-focused solutions leveraging technologies to contribute effectively towards increasing the income of farmers and improve farm efficiency/efficiency of the Agriculture sector in the country. In this regard, leading Technology/Agri-tech/Start-Ups companies were identified and invited to collaborate with the Government of India and develop Proof of Concepts (PoC) based on data of select Districts/ Villages.
A public call through the Department’s website was issued inviting proposals for Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Companies were invited to sign MoU on purely pro bono basis and develop the PoCs. These PoCs will help in understanding the uses of Agristack and service & solutions that can be built using available data and some of them, if found beneficial to the farmers will be scaled up at National level.
In this regard, the Government has signed MoU with leading Technology/Agri-tech Players & Start-ups for working on Proof of Concepts (PoCs) in the select Districts/Villages.
Under National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture guideline, funds are released to the States/Union Territories for the projects involving use of modern information technologies such as such as Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Block Chain Technology, Internet of Things, Robotics etc., and for customization/shifting of web & mobile applications already developed by the States, to the platform to be developed using digital technologies.
Various mobile applications including KisanSuvidha have also been developed to facilitate dissemination of information to farmers on the critical parameters viz., Weather, Market Prices, Plant Protection, Agro-advisory, Extreme Weather Alerts, Input Dealers ( of Seed, Pesticide, Fertilizer, Farm Machinery), Soil Health Card, Cold Storage & Godowns, Soil Testing Laboratories and Veterinary Centre & Diagnostic labs, Crop Insurance Premium Calculator and the Government schemes.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare aims to improve awareness and knowledge efficiency of farmers. A comprehensive ICT strategy has, therefore, been developed not only to reach out to farmers in an easy and better way but also for planning and monitoring of schemes so that policy decisions can be taken at a faster pace and farmers can be benefited quickly. To empower different sections of rural areas, different ICT strategies have been devised:
Those who have access to digital infrastructure can get the information through websites/web portals.
Those who have smart phones can access the same information through mobile apps.
Those who have basic phones, can get this information through SMS advisories sent by experts.
To get the personalized information; farmers can call at the toll free number of Kisan Call Centre – 18001801551.
National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA) was initially launched in seven selected States namely, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, in the last quarter of 2010-11. This Scheme has subsequently extended in 2nd Phase to cover all the States and 2 UTs from 2014-15. NeGPA aims to achieve rapid development in India through use of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) for timely access to agriculture related information for the farmers.
During Phase I of the scheme, the hardware were centrally procured and distributed to all the 7 pilot states. Under NeGPA (Phase II), funds were being released to States till 2019-20 for preparation of sites, training sites, procurement of Hardware, State Project Monitoring Units, data Digitization, connectivity upto Block Level, dissemination of agriculture related information through ICT means. Under the scheme, funding pattern between the Centre and the State is 90:10 for North Eastern States and Himalayan states, 60:40 for other States and 100:0 for UTs.
Further, the Committee on Doubling Farmers’ Income in its report appreciated the role of Digital Technology, which can play a transformational role in modernizing and organizing how rural India performs its agricultural activities. The possible components for modern management of agriculture are i) Remote Sensing; ii) Geographical Information System; iii) Data Analytics; iv) Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and v) Internet of Things.
To start with, for incorporating recommendations made by the DFI Committee about use of AI & ML, Big Data Analysis, Internet of Things etc. in agriculture, NeGPA guidelines have been revised in June 2020. Under the revised NeGPA guidelines, funds from 2021-22 will be released to the States/UTs only for the projects involving use of modern information technologies such as such as Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Block Chain Technology, Internet of Things, Robotics etc., and for customization / shifting of web & mobile applications already developed by the States, to the platform to be developed using digital technologies mentioned above.
As a part of NeGP-A initiative, the Department has developed one Stop Window-Farmers Portal (www.farmer.gov.in) for dissemination of information on various agricultural related matter including, seeds variety, Storage Godown, Pests and plant diseases, Best Agricultural Practices, Watershed, Mandi details etc.
The Department has also developed and made functional SMS/mKisan Portal (www.mkisan.gov.in) for sending advisories on various crop related matters to the registered farmers through SMSs. Mobile telephony has transformed the tenor of farmers life also. In mkisanmore than 5 crores farmers are registered for receiving crop advisories through SMS.
Various mobile applications including KisanSuvidha have also been developed to facilitate dissemination of information to farmers on the critical parameters viz., Weather, Market Prices, Plant Protection, Agro-advisory, Extreme Weather Alerts, Input Dealers ( of Seed, Pesticide, Fertilizer, Farm Machinery), Soil Health Card, Cold Storage &Godowns, Soil Testing Laboratories and Veterinary Centre & Diagnostic labs, Crop Insurance Premium Calculator and the Government schemes This app launched in 2016, has more than 13 lakh downloads.
The digitalisation of agriculture describes integrating cutting-edge digital technology into the farm production system, including artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, uncrewed aviation systems, sensors, and communication networks. Production of all food grains in India was predicted to be 275 million tonnes (MT) in 2017–18. India is the world's top producer of pulses (25 per cent of total output), consumer of pulses (27 per cent of total consumption), and importer of pulses (14 per cent). According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this makes India the world's second-largest food producer.
India is the world's top producer of pulses, paddy, wheat, and wheat, respectively. The National Agricultural Research System (NARS), which includes the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes and State Agricultural Universities, is one of the largest agricultural research systems in the world. Agriculture in India employs over 42 per cent of the labour force (2019), contributes 19.9 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (2020-21), and provides food security for about 1.3 billion people. Hence, technology and the digitalisation of agriculture here play a role of a catalyst to improve and increase production.
According to the NITI Ayog research on artificial intelligence, agriculture must expand at a rate of 4 per cent or higher right now to maintain an annual growth rate of 8–10 per cent. Digitisation is crucial for achieving this level of success. The NITI Aayog predicted in a report that by 2025, AI in agriculture would be worth $ 2.6 Bn and rise at a pace of 22.5 per cent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). AI currently helps farmers increase yield by assisting them in choosing better crops, hybrid seeds, and resource-efficient farming techniques. It is also utilised to improve farming productivity and accuracy to assist farmers in creating seasonal forecasting models.
Source: Financial Express
The Digital Agriculture Mission 2021–2025 was launched in September 2021 by Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Five Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed to advance digital agriculture through pilot projects with Cisco, Ninjacart, Jio Platforms Limited, ITC Limited, and National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) e-markets Limited (NeML). The Digital Agriculture Mission 2021–2025 aims to encourage and speed up projects based on cutting-edge technologies, including AI, blockchain, remote sensing, robots, and drones.
Over 1,000 agri-tech start-ups are based in India, and various venture capital funds, loan funds, and angel investors have long supported the sector. These start-ups have innovative ideas that assist farmers in improving farming techniques and produce.
To provide farmers with real-time data and the necessary advice, NITI Aayog has teamed up with International Business Machines (IBM) to create a crop production forecast model supported by AI. It aids in enhancing crop output, soil quality, agricultural input control, and early disease outbreak warning.
In August 2019, Cisco created an Agricultural Digital Infrastructure (ADI) solution to improve farming and knowledge exchange. This played an essential role in the data pool that the Department of Agriculture developed under the National Agri Stack.
The Jio Agri (Jio Krishi) platform was introduced in February 2020, and it digitalised the agricultural ecosystem along the entire value chain to empower farmers. The platform's primary function leverages data from standalone applications to offer counsel. Its advanced features use data from various sources, input it into AI algorithms, and then deliver precise, individualised advice.
India is gradually embracing climate-smart farming methods, which will assist in altering the country's ecology and cutting greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities. For instance, the farmers in Gujarat's Dhundi village have begun employing solar electricity and other sustainable energy sources for irrigation.
Microsoft and the Indian government have teamed up to support India's small-holder farmers by running a pilot programme called 'Unified Farmer Services Interface'. The alliance aims to boost farmers' incomes through improved price management and increased agricultural yield using AI sensors. The collaboration would accelerate the use of AI in farming.
Six institutions are a part of the government's Sensor-based Smart Agriculture (SENSAGRI) programme. Drones would be utilised in this concept to scout over land areas efficiently, acquire priceless information, and instantly communicate the data to farmers.
India is also helping the farmers by providing agricultural loans that will help increase natural farming practices and significantly modernise agriculture, emphasising agri-waste management. In addition, 11 crore farmers have received $ 26.4 Bn through the Pradhan Mantri (PM) Kisan Samman Nidhi initiative.
Additionally, the market for organic products has grown to $ 1.5 Bn. The government is also encouraging AI to revolutionise agricultural and farming trends and giving financial support to agri-tech firms.
India is continually working to develop and implement regulations that would improve the sustainability of its agricultural industry. Partnerships between corporations and the government can aid in developing a smart agriculture industry, given India's dynamic corporate structure.
To reach goals like doubling farmer incomes and sustainable growth, the Indian government is undertaking these initiatives and programmes. The widespread adoption of digital agriculture in India would therefore require a multi-stakeholder strategy in which the government plays a significant enabler's role in the ecosystem.
The role of infrastructure is crucial for agriculture development and for taking the production dynamics to the next level. It is only through the development of infrastructure, especially at the post harvest stage that the produce can be optimally utilized with opportunity for value addition and fair deal for the farmers. Development of such infrastructure shall also address the vagaries of nature, the regional disparities, development of human resource and realization of full potential of our limited land resource.
In view of above, the Hon’ble Finance Minister announced on 15.05.2020, 1 lakh crore Agri Infrastructure Fund for farm-gate infrastructure for farmers. Financing facility of Rs. 1,00,000 crore will be provided for funding Agriculture Infrastructure Projects at farm-gate & aggregation points (Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies, Farmers Producer Organizations, Agriculture entrepreneurs, Start-ups, etc.). Impetus for development of farm gate & aggregation point, affordable and financially viable Post Harvest Management infrastructure.
Accordingly, DA&FW has formulated the Central Sector Scheme to mobilize a medium - long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects relating to postharvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets through incentives and financial support.
Subsequently, in the budget announcement made on 01.02.2021, it was decided to extend the benefit of the scheme to APMCs. Accordingly, modifications in the scheme were carried out with the approval of Cabinet to make it more inclusive.
Credit guarantee coverage will be available for eligible borrowers from this financing facility under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme for loans up to ₹ 2 crore. The fee for this coverage will be paid by the Government. In case of FPOs the credit guarantee may be availed from the facility created under FPO promotion scheme of DA&FW.
All loans under this financing facility will have interest subvention of 3% per annum up to a limit of ₹ 2 crore. This subvention will be available for a maximum period of 7 years. In case of loans beyond ₹ 2 crore, then interest subvention will be limited up to ₹ 2 crore. The extent and percentage of funding to private entrepreneurs out of the total financing facility may be fixed by the National Monitoring Committee.
The Scheme will be operational from 2020-21 to 2032-33. Loan disbursement under the scheme will complete in six years.
Convergence with all schemes of central or state government.
Online single window facility in collaboration with participating lending institutions.
Project Management Unit to provide handholding support for projects including project preparation.
Size of the financing facility – ₹ 1 lakh Crore.
Credit Guarantee for loans up to ₹ 2 Crore.
Interest subvention of 3% p.a., limited to ₹ 2 crore per project in one location, though loan amount can be higher.
Cap on lending rate, so that benefit of interest subsidy reaches the beneficiary and services to farmers remain affordable.
Multiple lending institutions including Commercial Banks, Cooperative Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks, NCDC, NBFCs etc.
One eligible entity puts up projects in different locations then all such projects will be eligible under the scheme for loan upto ₹ 2 crore.
For a private sector entity, such as farmer, agri entrepreneur, start-up there will be a limit of maximum of 25 such projects.
Limitation of 25 projects will not be applicable to state agencies, national and state federations of cooperatives, federations of FPOs and federation of SHGs.
Location mean physical boundary of a village or town having a distinct LGD (Local Government Directory) code.
Each of such project should be in a location having a separate LGD (Local Government Directory) Code.
APMCs will be eligible for multiple projects (of different infrastructure types) within their designated market area.
Interest subvention will be available for a maximum period of 7 years.
Moratorium for repayment under this financing facility may vary subject to minimum of 6 months and maximum of 2 years.
Disbursement will complete in six years from 2020-21.
Need based refinance support will be made available by NABARD to all eligible lending entities including cooperative banks and RRBs as per its policy.
This financing facility will have numerous objective for all the stakeholders in the agriculture eco-system.
Farmers (including FPOs, PACS, Marketing Cooperative Societies, Multipurpose cooperative societies) - Improved marketing infrastructure to allow farmers to sell directly to a larger base of consumers and hence, increase value realization for the farmers. This will improve the overall income of farmers.
With investments in logistics infrastructure, farmers will be able to sell in the market with reduced post-harvest losses and a smaller number of intermediaries. This further will make farmers independent and improve access to market.
With modern packaging and cold storage system access, farmers will be able to further decide when to sell in the market and improve realization. Community farming assets for improved productivity and optimization of inputs will result in substantial savings to farmers.
Government - Government will be able to direct priority sector lending in the currently unviable projects by supporting through interest subvention, incentive and credit guarantee. This will initiate the cycle of innovation and private sector investment in agriculture. Due to improvements in post-harvest infrastructure, government will further be able to reduce national food wastage percentage thereby enable agriculture sector to become competitive with current global levels. Central/State Government Agencies or local bodies will be able to structure viable PPP projects for attracting investment in agriculture infrastructure.
Agri entrepreneurs and startups - With a dedicated source of funding, entrepreneurs will push for innovation in agriculture sector by leveraging new age technologies including IoT, AI. It will also connect the players in ecosystem and hence, improve avenues for collaboration between entrepreneurs and farmers.
Banking ecosystem - With Credit Guarantee, incentive and interest subvention lending institutions will be able to lend with a lower risk. This scheme will help to enlarge their customer base and diversification of portfolio. Refinance facility will enable larger role for cooperative banks and RRBs.
Consumers - With reduced inefficiencies in post-harvest ecosystem, key benefit for consumers will be a larger share of produce reaching the market and hence, better quality and prices. Overall, the investment via the financing facility in agriculture infrastructure will benefit all the eco-system players.
The scheme is limited to primary processing units. Advanced processing activities are not a part of the scheme. However, some components of such processing units like warehouse, assaying units, sorting & grading units, cold storages, pack-houses, collection centers, ripening chambers, logistics facilities etc. can get benefit of agriculture infrastructure fund.
To monitor the scheme, Monitoring Committees will be set up at National, State and District levels. This will to ensure real-time monitoring and effective feed-back on the implementation of the scheme.
The National, State and District Level Monitoring Committees to ensure real-time monitoring and effective feed-back about the implementation of the proposed scheme.
The National Level Monitoring Committees National level Monitoring Committee (NLMC) will guide and steer the implementation of the project. It will approve the guidelines for implementation of the project.
National level Implementation Committee (NLIC) will examine and recommend the guidelines for implementation of the project. It also will ensure and review the implementation of the scheme as per approved guidelines by the National level Monitoring Committee (NLMC).
The State Level Monitoring Committees State level Monitoring Committee (SLMC) will implement the NIMC guidelines at the state level and provide feedback to NIMC.
It will also guide and steer the implementation of the scheme in the state.
It will also examine and approve the selected list of beneficiaries/ projects for inclusion in the scheme in consultation with DLMC.
It will set the targets as per OOMF format and review the progress regularly.
The District Level Monitoring Committees District level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) The DLMC will be the first line of implementation and monitoring system within the overall framework.
It will identify the beneficiaries, to ensure viability of the project and prepare viable project reports to support the beneficiaries in collaboration with PMU.
It will also examine the proposal and recommend to SLMC for consideration.
DLMC will set targets in consultation with SLMC as per OOMF format and monitor the progress closely with the support of PMU.
DLMC will maintain the Dashboard in collaboration with PMU.
It will be responsible for the smooth implementation of the scheme and resolve any issues at the district level. In the process of sorting out implementation issues the Committee would be supported by the district administration wherever required.
Project Management Units Farmers Welfare Programme Implementation Society under DACFW will provide PMU
Support to the scheme at the central level and state PMUs of PM KISAN at state level.
Services of knowledge partners will be engaged to identify clusters including export.
Clusters and gaps in supply chains to target projects and prepare viable project reports to. Support the beneficiaries.
PMUs will provide handholding support for implementation of the scheme
It will also monitor the progress closely with the support of DLMC.
PMU will maintain the Dashboard in collaboration with DLMC.