Govt Generates 4.85 Crore Farmer IDs, Digital Crop Survey to Begin in Kharif 2025

Key Highlights

• 4.85 crore Farmer IDs generated, target of 11 crore by 2026-27.

• The Digital Crop Survey will start nationwide from Kharif 2025.

• Rs 2,817 crore allocated for the Digital Agriculture Mission.

• Rs 5,000 crore Special Central Assistance scheme launched.

• Rs 1,076 crore disbursed to six states for agricultural investment.

The Indian government is making major efforts to digitize agriculture and support farmers with technology-driven solutions. As part of this, the Ministry of Finance has launched a Rs 5,000 crore Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme to boost capital investment in agriculture at the state level. So far, Rs 1,076 crore has been given to six states.

On April 1, 2025, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur informed the Lok Sabha that 4.85 crore Farmer IDs had been generated by March 28, 2025. The goal is to register 11 crore farmers by 2026-27, ensuring their inclusion in digital initiatives.

Also Read: Bumper Wheat Production of DBW 377 Achieved Using Raised Bed Method

Digital Crop Survey to Start in Kharif 2025

To enhance agricultural planning, the government will roll out the Digital Crop Survey in all States and Union Territories starting with Kharif 2025. In Kharif 2024, the survey was conducted in 436 districts, and during Rabi 2024-25, it covered 461 districts with over 23.90 crore plots.

Digital Agriculture Mission for Smart Farming

In September 2024, the government approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with a financial outlay of Rs 2,817 crore. This initiative will create a strong Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture, including:

• AgriStack: A database-driven system to manage farm data.

• Krishi Decision Support System: A tool to provide real-time agricultural insights.

• Soil Fertility & Profile Map: A system to improve soil health and productivity.

The AgriStack framework consists of three key databases:

• Geo-Referenced Village Maps

• Crop Sown Registry

• Farmers Registry

These databases will be maintained by State Governments and Union Territories.

Support for States to Execute Digital Initiatives

To ensure smooth implementation, the government is offering financial and technical assistance to States and UTs. This includes:

• Developing software for Farmer ID generation and Digital Crop Surveys.

• Training state officials for efficient execution.

• Hiring resources for project monitoring.

• Setting up cloud infrastructure for data storage.

Special Central Assistance for Agricultural Investment

The Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance has introduced a Rs 5,000 crore scheme for Special Central Assistance (SCA) to States for Capital Investment 2024-25. As of March 28, Rs 1,076 crore has been allocated to six states: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.

Farmer ID Registration Drive

To speed up Farmer ID registration, the government is encouraging States to use a camp-based approach. Financial assistance of Rs 15,000 per camp has been allocated to support field-level registrations.

Additionally, Rs 10 per Farmer ID has been set aside from the administrative fund of the PM KISAN Scheme as an honorarium for field functionaries involved in the process.

Also Read: MNREGA: Provision for Well Construction to Boost Irrigation in Rural Areas

CMV360 Says

The government's digital initiatives aim to modernize Indian agriculture, making it more data-driven and efficient. By implementing Farmer IDs, Digital Crop Surveys, and AgriStack, policymakers and farmers will benefit from real-time insights and improved decision-making. These efforts will enhance productivity, streamline resource allocation, and drive sustainable agricultural growth in the coming years.