Maharashtra Farmers to Benefit from Agristack and Aadhaar Integration
Agristack Initiative to Revolutionize Digital Agriculture in Maharashtra The central government’s Agristack initiative is set to revolutionize digital agriculture in Maharashtra by digitizing farm records and improving access to government schemes for farmers. This groundbreaking project will benefit approximately 1.19 crore farmers, including 16 lakh in the Nagpur division, by introducing unique Farmer IDs that link Aadhaar numbers with agricultural land records.
Launched under the Digital India programme, Agristack is a collaborative effort between the central and state governments. Piloted in Gujarat, it consolidates all landholdings under a single Farmer ID system, regardless of location, ensuring easier access to subsidies, crop insurance benefits, and other government initiatives for farmers. The rollout will take a village-by-village approach, with camps ensuring no eligible farmer is left out.
According to Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari, Agristack will simplify access to a range of schemes, including the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, crop damage compensation, and tailored advisory services. “Farmers will also benefit from real-time market updates, weather forecasts, and personalized agricultural advice delivered through a dedicated mobile application,” she told TOI.
The project also aims to improve transparency in land transactions and seasonal crop reporting. Farmers will need to upload details of crops grown during the Kharif and Rabi seasons, while unused plots must be documented with photographs. Geo-referencing and geo-fencing technologies will ensure accurate records and provide real-time data on land usage, crop health, and yields.
The initiative places significant emphasis on farmer training and digital literacy. Master trainers will help farmers link mobile numbers with Aadhaar, a crucial step for seamless integration. “Farmers will receive timely advisories on fertilizer use, pest management, and marketing opportunities,” Bidari noted.
Additionally, Krishi Kendras will integrate with the Farmer ID system to enable the timely delivery of agricultural inputs and services. Benefits will be directly transferred to farmers’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, ensuring efficiency and transparency.
“The geo-referencing feature will empower the government to monitor land usage, crop productivity, and conditions with precision,” Bidari added, emphasizing the initiative’s potential to revolutionize farming in India.
