Union Ministry of Agriculture and Microsoft India have inked an MoU for a pilot project in 100 villages of 6 states to usher in digital farming for the first time in the country. The MoU will enable the use of modern technologies in the farming sector, so that farmers can get benefits and enhance their income through it.
With the use of technology, farming will be a profitable venture for the farmers and the new generation will also get attracted towards agriculture, said Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar while speaking on the occasion.
Tomar said “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s idea of digital agriculture is now taking shape. After taking over as Prime Minister in 2014, Shri Modi has laid great emphasis on the use of modern technologies in the farming sector”.
Microsoft will help develop farmer interfaces for smart and well-organized agriculture, including post-harvest management and distribution. For this project, Microsoft has joined in with its local partner, Crop Data. The project will be unveiled in 100 villages in 10 districts of 6 states (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh).
The project is for one year and both sides inking the MoU will bear the cost on their own. This project is expected to reduce the input costs for farmers. It is proposed to undertake similar pilot projects with other public and private players to create a vibrant digital agro-ecosystem in the country.
Lauding the role of technology in agriculture, Tomar recalled the experience of MNREGA. Tomar said “thanks to the use of technology all the data related to MNREGA is now available with the government. This enables wages of the labourers going directly to their bank accounts. Today, around 12 crore households are having job cards under MNREGA. Of this, 7 crore keep coming to get jobs”, he stated.
Union Ministers of State for Agriculture Parshottam Rupala and Kailash Chaudhary, Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal and Additional Secretary Vivek Agrawal, among others represented the govt side President of Microsoft India Anant Maheshwari, Executive Director Navtej Bal, Director (Strategic Sales) Mrs. Nandini Singh, Managing Director of CropData Technology Pvt. Ltd. Sachin Suri, Director Ramakant Jha and other officials also attended the function.
President of Microsoft India Anant Maheshwari, Executive Director Navtej Bal, Director (Strategic Sales) Mrs. Nandini Singh, Managing Director of CropData Technology Pvt. Ltd. Sachin Suri, Director Ramakant Jha and other officials also attended the function.