How can the ‘Digital India’ programme help farmers to improve farm productivity and income? What steps has the Government taken in this regard? (UPSC 2015)

Digital India can improve farm productivity and income by making farming data-driven, timely and market-connected.

• Higher productivity: GIS, satellite data and IoT aid soil mapping, crop planning and precise use of seed, water and fertiliser.
• Better decisions: Mobile apps provide weather alerts, pest warnings and local-language advisories, reducing crop losses.
• Higher income: e-NAM and online platforms improve price discovery, widen market access and reduce middlemen.
• Efficient support: DBT through bank-linked accounts ensures timely, leak-free transfer of subsidies and PM-KISAN benefits.

Government steps: Digital Agriculture Mission, AgriStack and farmer registry; e-NAM for electronic trading; AI-based Kisan e-Mitra and pest apps; drone services under Namo Drone Didi; and digital crop surveys for faster insurance claims. Thus, Digital India can raise efficiency, cut costs and strengthen farm incomes if connectivity and digital literacy expand.