an insight on the agristack

Overview of Agristack in Agriculture

Introduction:

Agristack is a key element of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture, along with Krishi-DSS and Soil Profile Maps. It serves as a centralized repository of information about farmers, including their identity, land records, incomes, insurance, loans, crop information, and revenue history.

Key Points:

1. Data Collection:

? Agristack will gather data from farmers and integrate information from government sources through APIs.

? Data comes from three main registries: farmers registry, geo-referenced village maps, and crop sown registry.

? Each farmer will receive a unique digital ID linked to their land records and Aadhaar. States like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra are currently testing these IDs.

2. Technology Utilized:

? The system will utilize geo-referencing to collect data on crops sown via a digital crop survey conducted by states.

? Advanced technologies including GIS-GPS, AI/ML, and visual analytics will offer real-time crop information.

? Satellite imagery will be provided by ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) for monitoring crops across India throughout different seasons.

3. Development Process:

? Agristack was initiated by the agriculture ministry in 2021, which set up a task force to develop its framework and architecture, known as India Digital Ecosystem Architecture (IDEA).

? Feedback was gathered from experts, farmers, and organizations, leading to the creation of a Unified Farmers Service platform.

4. Purpose of Agristack:

? The aim is to provide a centralized digital platform to eliminate redundant information, allowing easier access for both government bodies and farmers.

? Currently, separate departments manage land records and IDs, leading to inefficiencies. Agristack aims to streamline access to all necessary information.

? It will enable better planning for agricultural supply chains, helping farmers find optimal selling times and prices, while assisting the government in implementing schemes effectively.

5. Integration with Other Platforms:

? Agristack plans to incorporate various applications including e-Nam, ITC's eChoupal, and NCDEX’s NeML, among others, for weather and supply chain information.

6. Role of Private Companies:

? As of now, private companies do not have access to Agristack data. The data remains owned by the states and is managed by the government.

? Companies such as Microsoft and Amazon Web Services are collaborating on data collection and use cases. In 2022, Microsoft signed an agreement to pilot a Unified Farmer Service Interface in select villages.

7. Concerns Raised:

? Challenges include potential inaccuracies from outdated or incomplete land records.

? Despite the progress of the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, many cadastral maps remain un-digitized, leading to concerns over disputes and the need for a verification mechanism for data.

8. Progress Made:

? Some states have completed pilots and are using the database for certain benefits, such as mandatory farmer registry for PM Kisan Yojana starting December 2024.

? For example, in Farrukhabad, the farmer registry was completed, allowing quick issuance of Kisan Credit Cards.

9. Opportunities for Startups:

? As Agristack develops, it will provide open data access for agritech startups, enabling innovative business models and simplifying the farmer onboarding process.

? Fintech companies will have opportunities to create tailored products for farmers.

Conclusion:

Agristack is set to revolutionize the agricultural sector by creating an inclusive and efficient digital framework that facilitates access to crucial information and services for farmers and government entities alike. This initiative not only aims to streamline processes but also to enhance agricultural productivity and innovation across India.