Subject: Economy

The integration of Digital India with agriculture marks a transformative shift towards Agriculture 4.0, leveraging technology to enhance farm productivity and farmer incomes. Recent success stories like Saagu Baagu initiative in Khammam district demonstrate how digital interventions can double farmers' income through AI-based advisory services.

Digital Solutions Enhancing Farm Productivity

• Precision Agriculture: Use of IoT sensors and satellite imagery for real-time monitoring of soil health, crop conditions, and weather patterns enhancing resource efficiency.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Implementation of Big Data Analytics to provide personalized crop recommendations and optimize input usage based on historical patterns.

• Market Integration: Digital platforms connecting farmers directly to buyers, reducing intermediaries and ensuring better price realization.

Government Initiatives

• e-NAM Platform: With 17 million farmers registered by March 2025, the platform facilitates online trading of agricultural commodities across states.

• Digital Agriculture Mission: Allocation of ₹2,817 crore in 2024 for creating a unified farmer database and implementing emerging technologies.

• Kisan Suvidha App: Provides essential information on weather, market prices, and plant protection, empowering farmers with real-time information.

Steps Taken by Government

• Budget Support: Union Budget 2024 allocated ₹1.52 lakh crore for agriculture and allied sectors, emphasizing digital transformation.

• Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration with tech companies for developing farmer-friendly applications, exemplified by Kagome Co. Ltd.'s project in Nasik improving tomato yields.

• Digital Infrastructure: Strengthening rural internet connectivity through BharatNet to ensure last-mile digital service delivery.

The convergence of Digital India with agriculture through initiatives like PM-KISAN and Digital Agriculture Mission is creating a robust ecosystem for smart farming. Success stories like the Saagu Baagu initiative demonstrate that technology-enabled agriculture can significantly improve farm productivity and farmer incomes, paving the way for an Atmanirbhar Krishi sector.