The Government of India approved the Digital Agriculture Mission in September 2024, marking a significant step towards building a robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture. The mission aims to establish key digital frameworks such as AgriStack, the Krishi Decision Support System (KDSS), and a comprehensive Soil Fertility & Profile Map, creating an ecosystem that delivers timely, reliable crop-related information and fosters farmer-centric innovations.
Three Core Registries of AgriStack
AgriStack’s foundation rests on three major registries, maintained by State Governments and Union Territories:
1. Geo-Referenced Village Maps
2. Crop Sown Registry
3. Farmer Registry
The Farmer Registry will hold vital data, including demographic details, land holdings, and crop information. This will allow farmers to digitally authenticate their identity and seamlessly access benefits such as credit, insurance, procurement, and government schemes. It will also open doors to the digital agri-economy, enabling secure online transactions for input purchases and produce sales.
The Digital Crop Survey (DCS) will provide accurate, real-time crop area data for every agricultural plot, supporting better planning and policy decisions.
Krishi Decision Support System (KDSS)
KDSS integrates geospatial and non-geospatial data—covering weather, soil, crops, reservoirs, groundwater, and government schemes—to generate valuable insights. It offers crop and soil maps, automated yield estimation, and drought/flood monitoring systems, aiding evidence-based policymaking and encouraging innovations in the agri-tech sector.
Nationwide Soil Resource Mapping
Under the Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI), village-level soil maps are being created at a 1:10,000 scale using high-resolution satellite and ground data. This initiative will guide scientific land use, crop planning, and sustainable farming practices.
Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) Scheme
Since 2015-16, the PDMC Scheme has been promoting water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler irrigation.
⦁ Subsidy: 55% for small and marginal farmers, and 45% for others.
⦁ Additional Support: States can offer top-up subsidies.
⦁ Limit: Up to 5 hectares per beneficiary.
Micro-irrigation not only conserves water but also reduces fertilizer use, labor costs, and input expenses—ultimately boosting farmers’ income.
