Digital Agriculture Mission: The Rs 2,817 crore-estimated Digital Agriculture Mission has just been given the nod by the Centre-huge impetus towards modernizing the agriculture sector of the country. Announcing the move on Monday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in the cabinet briefing that the above mission was in line with the Digital Public Infrastructure framework for agriculture.
Digital Agriculture Mission
The Digital Agriculture Mission is based on the amalgamation of advanced technologies and solutions driven by data to effect a metamorphosis in the agricultural landscape. Based on some key pilots, the initiative could ensure enhanced efficiency and productivity of the farming sector for increased farmers’ income.
He further nailed the resolve of the government for securing the future of Indian agriculture as it approved several other key initiatives. The approval of a ₹3,979 crore program on food and nutritional security aimed to prepare farmers for the challenges that lie ahead through climate-resilient varieties of crops. This program is anchored on six pillars and designed to ensure long-term sustainability and security in food production.
Rs 860 Crore Scheme for Sustainable Horticulture Development
In addition to the Digital Agriculture Mission, the Cabinet approved a ₹860 crore scheme for the development of sustainable horticulture. This will ensure environmentally viable practices in horticulture, leading to increased productivity and profitability in this important agricultural sector. It further allocated ₹1,202 crore in a bid to strengthen Krishi Vigyan Kendras, which form the backbone of agricultural knowledge and innovations at the farm level. An amount of ₹1,115 crore was separately given for Natural Resource Management, laying emphasis on the judicious use of water and soil resources.
Enhanced Connectivity Across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
The government sanctioned ₹1,702 crore for the sustainable livelihood health and production of livestock in order to achieve longevity and productivity in the sector. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also accorded its approval to a new rail line between Indore and Manmad with an estimated cost of ₹18,036 crore. This line, stretching 309 kilometers, will make for better connectivity across six districts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, thus bringing efficiency to the Indian Railways network.
These will be based on two pillars: Agri Stack, for farmers’ registry and mapping of crops; Krishi Decision Support System, which would allow the right crop management through geospatial data and monitoring of weather conditions.
