The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has recently launched “The Eleventh Agricultural Census (2021-22).” The data gathered from this census will bring immense benefits to India’s agriculture sector. This article examines the upcoming agricultural census, the concept of virtual agriculture, and various initiatives by the government in this field.
Agricultural Census: An Overview
Conducted every five years, the agricultural census takes place after a delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The whole procedure is carried out in three stages, with operational holding being the statistical unit at the micro-level for data collection. Based on the data collected, three comprehensive reports are released that analyze trends on different elements at the national and state/UT level.
The eleventh census fieldwork will start in August 2022 and for the very first time, the data collection will be done on smartphones and tablets to ensure data is readily accessible. This census will benefit from digital land records such as land title records and survey reports. With most states having digitized their land records and surveys, this will expedite the collection of agricultural census data.
Digital Agriculture: Meaning and Significance
Digital Agriculture utilizes ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and data ecosystems to provide timely, targeted information and services to make farming profitable, sustainable, and ensure safe, nutritious, and affordable food for all. This includes precision agriculture techniques, weather monitoring, robotics/drone technology, etc.
Farm machinery automation, remote satellite data, traceability technologies, and digital logistics, among other things, are expected to greatly benefit from Digital Agriculture. It will also help in administrative functions, land record maintenance, and reducing land disputes.
Government Initiatives towards Digital Agriculture
To promote and enhance the use of technology in agriculture, the government has introduced various initiatives. AgriStack, a planned collection of technology-based interventions, aims to create a unified platform for farmers that provides end-to-end services across the agricultural food value chain.
The Digital Agriculture Mission (2021 -2025) has been initiated for projects based on new technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, remote sensing and GIS technology, drones, and robots. The Unified Farmer Service Platform (UFSP) would act as a central agency in the agri-ecosystem.
A scheme called the National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A) has been launched to provide rapid development in India through the use of ICT for timely access to agriculture-related information to farmers. Other digital initiatives include Kisan Call Centres, Kisan Suvidha App, Agri Market App, Soil Health Card (SHC) Portal, among others.
Way Forward
To maximize the benefits of these technological advancements, policymakers must consider potential benefits, costs, and risks, and understand the factors affecting technology uptake. They must also understand how technology can help in different components of the policy cycle. There’s a need to build a robust digital infrastructure in the country consisting of satellite imaging, soil health information, land record, cropping pattern and frequency, market data, and more.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, previous year questions related to this topic are also provided for reference.
