Bihar’s agriculture department has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsave Consulting to develop an integrated digital platform for farmers. The platform aims to encourage the adoption of modern technology among farmers, enhancing farm productivity in alignment with the Agricultural Roadmap-IV launched by President Droupadi Murmu in October this year.
Alok Ranjan Ghosh, Director of Agriculture in Bihar, and Manoj Kumar Sharma, Managing Director of Microsave Consulting, formalized the agreement in the presence of Agriculture Minister Kumar Sarvajeet and Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal. Senior Program Officer of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Srivalli Krishnan, was also present at the signing ceremony.
The integrated digital farmers’ services platform is a crucial component of the 4th Agriculture Road Map (2023-28), aiming to promote modern agricultural technology. It will serve as a digital interface, guiding farmers in simple language to access incentives provided by the state government. Through this platform, Bihar’s farmers will be able to apply for benefits under various agriculture and allied department schemes, leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) for improved agricultural services.
In the 3rd Agricultural Roadmap, the agriculture department developed a data collection system and utilized digital platforms to extend scheme benefits to farmers. The 4th Agriculture Roadmap emphasizes the need for a unified platform to increase farmers’ income and deliver agricultural services. The integrated digital platform will enable farmers to access services such as weather information, agricultural advisory services, market prices of agricultural produce, and financial services.
This initiative will involve collaboration between public, private, and non-governmental organizations to provide diverse services through a single platform, simplifying access to various agricultural facilities for Bihar’s farmers. The platform will consolidate and integrate resources related to agriculture, offering a comprehensive solution. Additionally, farmers will have access to a grievance redressal facility, ensuring prompt action on pending applications.
