Agriculture, TLP-UPSC Mains Answer Writing
Q. 3. How can digitisation and e-technology transform Indian agriculture? Discuss their role in enhancing farmers’ income along with key challenges and recent initiatives. (150 words, 10 marks)
Introduction
Digital agriculture, as per FAO, uses digital technologies to enhance productivity and sustainability. The WEF highlights its potential to double farmer incomes. In India, it can transform agriculture through efficiency, better access, and resilience.
Body
Role in Enhancing Farmers’ Income through Digitisation and E-Technology
- Input Optimisation: Technologies like AI and IoT help farmers use fertilizers, water, and seeds efficiently, reducing costs and increasing returns. Example: AI-based sowing advisory systems by Microsoft and ICRISAT.
- Precision Farming: Satellite imagery, GIS, and drone monitoring allow for timely interventions and improved crop health. Example: YES-TECH system for yield estimation at Gram Panchayat level.
- Better Access to Credit and Insurance: Digital platforms integrate farmer databases with banks and insurance providers for faster services. Example: Kisan Rin Portal ensures streamlined loan and subsidy tracking.
- Improved Market Linkages: Platforms like e-NAM help farmers get better prices through wider reach and transparency.
- Climate Resilience: Real-time weather data and early warnings help farmers adapt quickly to weather shocks. Example: WINDS system provides actionable weather insights.
- Empowered Governance: Frameworks like IDEA help create integrated databases for targeted delivery of welfare schemes.
Key Challenges in Digital Agriculture
- Digital Illiteracy and Fraud: Many farmers lack digital literacy and fear online fraud, leading to hesitancy in adoption.
- High Initial Cost: Advanced tools require capital investments, making them inaccessible to small and marginal farmers.
- Fragmented Landholdings: Smaller farm sizes make implementation and scalability of technologies difficult. Note: As per Agriculture Census, average holding shrank from 2.28 ha (1970–71) to 1.08 ha (2015–16).
- Nascent Agri-Tech Ecosystem: India has less than 1% Agri-Tech start up penetration, limiting innovation and outreach.
- Infrastructural Deficits: Rural areas often lack reliable electricity, internet, and service support systems.
- Poor Content Design: Lack of local language options, simple UI, and granular farmer-level datasets reduce effectiveness.
Recent Government Initiatives
- Advanced Data Platforms: Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics (UPAg) enables crop and land data management.
- Credit and Subsidy Integration: Kisan Rin Portal (KRP) links banks, farmers, and government for seamless service delivery.
- Weather Intelligence: WINDS system provides weather-based farming advisories for better preparedness.
- Digital Public Infrastructure: In the Union Budget 2023–24, the government announced creation of an open-source digital public infrastructure to support crop planning, credit, insurance, and market intelligence.
- Digital Extension Services: National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A) promotes ICT-based agricultural service delivery.
Way Forward
- Affordable and Inclusive Innovation: Encourage plug-and-play tools and shared models for cost-effective access to technology.
- Capacity Building: Train farmers in using e-tools and protect them from digital frauds through awareness campaigns.
- Agri-Tech Ecosystem Support: Facilitate incubators, funding, and PPPs to promote scalable Agri-Tech Start-ups and regional solutions.
Conclusion
Digitisation, as reaffirmed in the G20 Delhi Declaration, is key to inclusive farm growth. Along with enabling policies and reforms like the repealed farm laws, digital tech can redefine Indian agriculture for the better.
