The Indian Government has formed an Inter-Ministerial Committee with the task of exploring the issues surrounding the goal to double farmers’ income by 2022. This project includes recommending suitable technologies to be adopted by farmers, implementing major apps and government programs targeted to facilitate farmers, and using advanced technologies in various areas of farming.
Adoption of Advanced Technologies
Among the technologies recommended for adoption are Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, Block chain Technology, and the Internet of Things. Embracing these technologies could help maximize agricultural productivity, optimize resource usage, and ultimately, aid in achieving the ambitious goal of doubling the farmers’ income in real terms by the year 2022.
App Development for Farmers
The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) along with State Agricultural Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras have developed mobile apps to provide valuable information to the farmers. These apps cover areas of crops, horticulture, veterinary and more. One notable app is the Kisan Suvidha Mobile Application which provides farmers with essential information on weather, market prices, plant protection strategies, farm machinery, and local input dealers for seed, fertilizer, and pesticide.
mKisan Portal and e-National Agriculture Market Initiatives
The government launched mKisan Portal (www.mkisan.gov.in), an initiative aimed at delivering crucial crop-related advisories to registered farmers via SMS. Another significant initiative is the e-National Agriculture Market providing farmers with an electronic online trading platform.
Efforts Towards Infrastructure Improvement and Scientific Storage Capacity
The government is implementing the Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure under the Integrated Scheme of Agricultural Marketing to create and improve scientific storage capacity for storing farm produce and processed farm produce, and reduce post-harvest storage loss.
Soil Health Card Scheme and Subsidies
| Scheme | Purpose | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| Soil Health Card Scheme | Provides information to the farmers on nutrient status of their soil | All farmers across the country |
| Subsidies under National Food Security Mission (Oil Seeds and Oil Palm) | Assists farmers with seed components, transfer of technologies, production inputs and water carrying devices | Farmers cultivating oil seeds and oil palm |
Use of Space Technology in Farming
The government is harnessing space technology for various programmes and areas such as Forecasting Agricultural Output using Space, Agro-meteorology and Land-based Observations project, National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System, Rice-Fallow Area Mapping and intensification, geo tagging of infrastructure and assets created under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, and Crop Insurance.
Machine Learning and Dissemination of Technologies
Advanced technologies like Machine Learning process along with different computer algorithms are being used for crop classification and area estimation. The government has also set up Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Agricultural Technology Management Agencies at district level for efficient dissemination of technologies among the farming community. Farmers are further provided information through Focused Publicity Campaigns, Kisan Call Centres, Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres of entrepreneurs, Agri Fairs and exhibitions, and Kisan SMS Portal.
