Fadnavis Pushes for App to Integrate Agricultural Schemes in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed officials to develop a mobile app and website to bring all the schemes for farmers under one umbrella. The decision aims to provide farmers with one platform for obtaining information about schemes, advisory services, and digital tools to improve agricultural cultivation methods. The decision will further streamline the implementation of the scheme and promote increased adoption of technology in agriculture.

While chairing a meeting in Sahyadri Guest House, Mumbai, Fadnavis emphasized utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) for farming. The officials were asked by him to prepare a complete digital system in order to club all the schemes of state and centre governments regarding farming. The app and portal will be an one-stop facility for farmers for all the schemes, crop insurance, and attaining current information about farming methods.

The discussion also came about the Agri Stack program, a government-run digital platform used to enhance agriculture efficiency through making data-driven decisions. With the integration of Agri Stack within the proposed application, farmers get access to enhanced analytics, analysis from soil analysis, and forecast models for farm planning. The system is sure to enhance productivity, facilitate more intelligent planning, and enhance overall efficiency in the agricultural sector in Maharashtra.

Fadnavis also encouraged boosting agricultural start-ups and skill-oriented training within the sector. Coordination with the private sector would be essential, he emphasized, to give impetus to research and innovation. The usage of AI to map soil analysis, pest management and disease, as well as forecast weather conditions that can guide informed decisions for the farmer while eliminating risks was another area covered.

Furthermore, the chief minister also stressed that seed sales and distribution must be carried out openly using the SAATHI (Seed Traceability, Authentication, and Holistic Inventory) portal. In doing so, the seeds will be traced from the production level up to distribution with quality and authenticity maintained. Maharashtra's implementation of SAATHI is meant to prevent fraud and increase farmer access to genuine seeds.

Another significant aspect of the meeting was crop insurance and e-crop inspection. Fadnavis stressed that a robust mechanism should be framed to enable smooth implementation and availability of insurance schemes. AI-driven e-crop inspection can help in real-time assessment of crop health and reduce variations in insurance claims.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has also evinced interest in collaborating in the agricultural sector, particularly in technological development. His entry could bring in foreign talent and money into Maharasthra's farm sector, sparking innovation and new-age modernization.

By integrating AI, Agri Stack, and other digital technology into agriculture, Maharashtra aims to make the environment more farmer-centric. The development of a specialist agricultural app and website is most likely to bridge the information gap, provide better resources to farmers, and raise overall productivity.

Source & Credits
Source: Press Trust of India (PTI)
Credits: Maharashtra CM's Office, PTI