New Delhi:
The Government of India is accelerating the use of technology in farming through the Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM), a flagship initiative aimed at modernizing agriculture, improving decision-making and enhancing farmer incomes through digital solutions.

The mission marks a major shift toward technology-driven, data-enabled and farmer-centric agriculture, aligning with India’s broader vision of Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

What is the Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM)?

The Digital Agriculture Mission is a national initiative designed to build a robust digital ecosystem for agriculture. It focuses on creating digital infrastructure, integrating farmer data and enabling technology-based services to support farmers across the entire agricultural value chain.

A key component of DAM is the development of AgriStack, a federated database that links land records, crop data and farmer identities to deliver personalised services.

Key Objectives of the Digital Agriculture Mission

The main objectives of DAM include:

• Creating a digital identity for farmers
• Providing data-driven advisory services
• Improving access to credit, insurance and markets
• Enabling precision agriculture and smart farming
• Strengthening transparency and efficiency in agri-services
• Supporting policy planning with real-time data

Core Components of DAM

1. AgriStack and Farmer Registry

AgriStack aims to create a unified digital platform by integrating land records, farmer details and crop information, ensuring targeted delivery of schemes and services.

2. Digital Crop Surveys

Technology such as remote sensing, GIS and mobile-based surveys is used to collect accurate crop data, improving yield estimation and reducing delays in insurance claims.

3. AI and Decision Support Systems

DAM promotes the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics to provide weather alerts, pest warnings, and crop advisories.

4. Public–Private Partnerships

The mission encourages collaboration with agritech startups, research institutions, and private players to develop innovative digital solutions for farmers.

Benefits for Farmers

Under the Digital Agriculture Mission, farmers benefit from:

• Timely and personalised crop advisories
• Faster crop insurance settlements
• Improved access to institutional credit
• Better price discovery and market linkage
• Reduced dependency on intermediaries

By empowering farmers with data and technology, DAM aims to improve productivity and reduce risks.

Role in Sustainable Agriculture

Digital tools under DAM support climate-smart agriculture by enabling efficient water use, optimised input application and early warning systems for weather-related risks. This helps farmers adapt to climate change while protecting natural resources.

Challenges and the Way Forward

While DAM holds immense potential, challenges such as digital literacy, data privacy, internet connectivity and integration of state systems need to be addressed. Capacity building and farmer awareness will be crucial for successful implementation.

Conclusion

The Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) represents a transformative step in India’s agricultural journey. By leveraging technology, data and innovation, the mission aims to make farming more efficient, resilient and profitable.As digital adoption grows, DAM is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of Indian agriculture and improving the livelihoods of millions of farmers.

Gagan Tripathi

Gagan Tripathi is an agripreneur, plant scientist, and author known for his work in agritech innovation and sustainable horticulture. He is the Co-founder and CEO of Plant Orbit, a horticulture-focused startup dedicated to making healthy, scientifically managed plants accessible to urban and institutional consumers. Born in 2000, Gagan holds a master’s degree in Agriculture Extension and Communication, blending agricultural science with entrepreneurship and community outreach. He is also the author of the bestseller “Roadmap to Your Healthy Succulents”. His work focuses on sustainable plant care, green entrepreneurship, and building impact-driven agri startups in India.