National Conference on Digital Public Infrastructure

September 25, 2024

The Union Agriculture Ministry recently held a National Conference focused on implementing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as part of the Digital Agriculture Mission. This initiative seeks to use digital technology to make agriculture more efficient and improve service delivery to farmers.

Purpose of the Conference

The conference aimed to strengthen cooperation between the Central Government and State Governments in rolling out various components of the Digital Agriculture Mission. Key areas of focus included Agri Stack (a digital platform for farmers), Krishi DSS (a Decision Support System for agriculture), and soil profile mapping. The goal was to simplify processes and improve agricultural schemes for better service delivery.

Key Components Discussed

Farmer Registry: A digital system to collect and manage farmer information, making it easier for farmers to access government services and benefits.

Special Central Assistance (SCA) Scheme: Financial support provided by the central government to help states carry out agricultural reforms.

Digital Agriculture Initiatives: The introduction of technology in various agricultural areas to boost productivity, sustainability, and ease of operations.

Presentations and Insights

Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi discussed the vision of the Digital Agriculture Mission, aiming to transform agriculture through the use of technology.

Manoj Joshi, Secretary of Land Resources, highlighted the importance of connecting land reforms with the Farmers’ Registry to enhance data accuracy and service delivery.

Experts like Dr. Pramod Kumar Meherda, Varsha Joshi, and Sagar Mehra led discussions on how DPI can be applied in animal husbandry and fisheries, showcasing its broad impact beyond traditional farming.

Significance of Guidelines and Handbooks

The release of the Guidelines for the Digital Agriculture Mission and the Farmer Registry Handbook marked an important step towards establishing sustainable digital practices in agriculture. These resources demonstrate the Government of India’s dedication to supporting state-level implementations and reforms through clear, structured guidance.

The National Conference provided a crucial platform to discuss the technological and administrative changes needed to successfully integrate digital solutions in agriculture. By aligning national initiatives with state-level efforts, the conference aimed to drive improved outcomes in agriculture through enhanced efficiency and better service delivery to farmers.

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