Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM)
The DAM is a Central Sector Scheme launched to build a farmer-centric digital ecosystem. It seeks to digitize agricultural governance and services, improve data-driven decision-making, and support AgriTech innovation.
Imagine giving farmers a “Digital Identity” and using real-time data to tailor agricultural policies, advisories, and insurance. That’s what DAM is about.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Description |
| Purpose | To provide timely, reliable, and digitally enabled support to farmers |
| Type | Central Sector Scheme (except certain components under Centrally Sponsored Mode) |
| Tenure | 2021–22 to 2025–26 (5 Years) |
| Target Beneficiaries | Farmers |
| Key Enablers | Public-private partnerships, cutting-edge IT systems, satellite data |
Objectives of DAM
- Build a digital-first ecosystem around the farmer
- Use data and analytics for better decision-making by the government
- Promote private innovation and public partnerships in AgriTech
- Increase transparency in scheme implementation
- Improve targeted delivery of subsidies and benefits
Evolution: From NeGPA to DAM
- National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA): Launched in 2010–11, it used ICT tools to deliver agricultural information.
- In 2020–21, it was upgraded to adopt emerging digital technologies.
- DAM builds on this by adding advanced features like remote sensing, machine learning, and digital registries.
Key Components of DAM
Let’s understand this one by one.
A. AgriStack: A Digital Backbone for Indian Agriculture
Just like Aadhaar digitized identity, AgriStack aims to digitize the farmer.
AgriStack has 3 main registries:
- Geo-referenced Village Maps
- Uses satellite imagery to digitally map village boundaries
- Helps in land classification, resource allocation, and dispute resolution
- Farmers’ Registry
- A unique digital identity for each farmer
- Linked with land records, Aadhaar, and bank accounts
- Enables Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs) and targeted scheme delivery
- Crop Sown Registry
- Real-time, mobile-based crop surveys
- Tracks area sown, seasonal cropping patterns
- Used for crop insurance, advisories, and policy planning
📝 Together, they create “Kisan Ki Pehchaan” — a digital identity for each farmer, enabling customized support.
B. Krishi Decision Support System (KDSS)
A four-layered data pyramid that integrates geospatial, climatic, and agricultural data for scientific decision-making:
| Layer | Function |
| Base: Geospatial & Satellite Data | Weather, soil, and land health monitoring |
| 2nd: Drought/Flood Monitoring | Early warning systems for extreme weather events |
| 3rd: Groundwater Data | Sustainable irrigation and cropping strategies |
| Top: Crop Yield Modelling | Supports insurance planning under PMFBY and policy formulation |
KDSS ensures data is converted into decisions — from satellite to soil to subsidy.
C. Nationwide Soil Resource Mapping
- Conducted by SLUSI (Soil and Land Use Survey of India)
- Maps village-level soils at a scale of 1:10,000
- Provides:
- Soil fertility profiles
- Maps for land planning
- Data for sustainable agriculture
D. Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES)
- Automates the General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES) process
- Digitally captures:
- Field-level crop cutting experiments
- Yield measurement and analytics
- Automated report generation
- Improves accuracy of production estimates and insurance payouts
E. Support to Institutions & States
Includes IT support to:
- State Governments
- Mahalanobis National Crop Forecasting Centre (MNCFC)
- DA&FW (Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare)
MNCFC’s Role:
- Technical partner for PMFBY
- Estimates crop acreage under FASAL
- Conducts geospatial training and drought monitoring
- Assists in yield dispute resolution
🧠 How Does This Help the Farmer?
- Tailored support: Advisories, insurance, subsidies based on actual cropping and soil data
- Transparency: Direct benefit transfers without middlemen
- Security: Disaster prediction, drought/flood early warnings
- Empowerment: Digital identity + land records = improved access to credit and schemes
Significance for UPSC
The Digital Agriculture Mission is a landmark scheme that reflects:
- Integration of Technology in Governance
- Real-time evidence-based policymaking
- A model of federated digital infrastructure in agriculture (like UPI for finance)
It’s an important case study under:
- GS-3 (Agriculture, e-Technology in aid of farmers)
- GS-2 (Governance, Government schemes, Digital India)
📚 Conclusion
The Digital Agriculture Mission is not just an IT project — it’s an agricultural revolution powered by data. It ensures the “last-acre farmer” is seen, heard, and supported digitally. UPSC aspirants must treat it as a flagship reform initiative.