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Digital Agriculture Mission

Last updated on September 3rd, 2024 Posted on September 3, 2024 by NEXT IAS Current Affairs Team  635

Syllabus: GS3/Agriculture

Context

  • Recently, the Union Cabinet Committee approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with an outlay of Rs. 2817 Crore, including the central share of Rs. 1940 Crore.

About the Digital Agriculture Mission

  • It aims to nurture agri-tech start-ups by harnessing cutting-edge advancements in cloud computing, earth observation, remote sensing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence/machine learning models.
  • It is conceived as an umbrella scheme to support digital agriculture initiatives, such as creating Digital Public Infrastructure, implementing the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and taking up other IT initiatives by the Central Government, State Governments, and Academic and Research Institutions.

Mission’s Roots

  • At its core, DAM seeks to transform India’s agricultural landscape by infusing it with digital nutrients.
  • Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Agriculture: It aims to provide authenticated demographic details, land holdings, and crop information for cultivators and tenant farmers.
    • It’s like giving each farmer a digital identity (akin to Aadhaar) – a trusted ‘Kisan ki Pehchaan’ (a digital Farmer ID) – while connecting them to relevant state and central government databases.
    • This data-driven approach promises innovative, farmer-centric services.

Three Pillars of Digital Agriculture Mission

  • Agristack: The farmer’s digital toolbox. It’s a federated structure, collaboratively built by various agencies of both central and state governments. Agristack houses three foundational registries:
    • Farmers’ Registry: A virtual farmer directory.
    • Geo-referenced Village Maps: For every village, with crop details overlaid.
    • Crop Sown Registry: A digital ledger of what’s sprouting where.
  • Krishi Decision Support System: It provides timely and reliable information to farmers, helping them make informed decisions. It aims to create a comprehensive geospatial system to unify remote sensing-based information on Crops, Soil, Weather, water resources, etc.
  • Soil Profile Mapping: It maps soil properties, moisture levels, and nutrient content, empowering precision agriculture.
Other schemes to improve farmers’ lives and increase their incomes
– Crop science for food and nutritional security: It aims to prepare farmers for climate resilience and provide for food security by 2047.
1. Total outlay of Rs 3,979 crore
2. It has following pillars viz: Research and education; Plant genetic resource management; Genetic improvement for food and fodder crop; Pulse and oilseed crop improvement; Improvement of commercial crops; and Research on insects, microbes, pollinators etc.
Strengthening Agricultural Education, Management and Social Sciences: It aims to prepare agriculture students and researchers for current challenges.
1. Total outlay of Rs 2,291 Crore
2. It comprises the following: Under Indian Council of Agri Research; Modernising agri-research and education; In line with New Education Policy 2020; Use latest technology like Digital DPI, Al, big data, remote, etc; and Include natural farming and climate resilience.
Sustainable livestock health and production: It aims to increase farmers income from livestock and dairy.
1. Total outlay of Rs 1,702 crore
2. It comprises the following: Animal health management and veterinary education; Dairy production and technology development; Animal genetic resource management, production and improvement; and Animal nutrition and small ruminant production and development.
Sustainable development of Horticulture: It aims at increasing farmers’ income from horticulture plants.
1. Total outlay of Rs 1129.30 crore
2. It comprises the following: Tropical, sub-tropical and temperate horticulture crops; Root, tuber, bulbous and arid crops; Vegetable, floriculture, and mushroom crops; and Plantation, spices, medicinal, and aromatic plants.
– Strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendra with an outlay of Rs 1,202 Cr
– Natural Resource Management with an outlay of Rs 1,115 Cr

Significances of Digital Agriculture Mission

  • Efficient Services: Farmers will access services and schemes faster, like a well-timed monsoon shower.
  • Data-Driven Insights: AI-powered crop predictions and personalised advice are helpful for better interventions and future policy support.
  • Inclusive Growth and Employment: It is aiming to have a catalytic effect in creating both direct and indirect employment in the agriculture sector, and is expected to provide employment opportunities to about 2.5 lakh trained local youth and Krishi Sakhis.
  • Resilience: When pests strike or drought looms, DAM will be the farmer’s digital scarecrow, alerting them in advance.

Conclusion

  • As the sun rises on DAM, India’s agri-tech landscape blossoms. It’s not just about bytes and algorithms; it’s about nurturing the roots that feed our nation. 
  • Digital Agriculture Mission aligns with this grand vision – nurturing a developed India by 2047 (Viksit Bharat@2047).

Source: PIB

 
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