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The Indian government is rapidly moving forward with the Kisan Pehchaan Patra (Farmer ID) initiative, a key element of the Digital Agriculture Mission. The program aims to provide 11 crore farmers with digital identities linked to their land records and personal details. To accelerate the registration process, the government has urged state governments to organize camps to ensure the creation of Farmer IDs. With financial incentives to encourage participation, this initiative is set to transform the agricultural landscape in India.

What is Kisan Pehchaan Patra?
The Farmer ID is a unique, Aadhaar-linked digital identity that will help streamline the registration of farmers, linking their details to their land and crops. The Farmer Registry, built through the Agri Stack, will enable better data management and ensure that farmers are included in digital agriculture solutions.

Implementation Strategy and Timeline
The Kisan Pehchaan Patra program will be rolled out in phases:

• 6 crore farmers in 2024-25
• 3 crore farmers in 2025-26
• 2 crore farmers in 2026-27

This phased implementation aims to ensure maximum coverage and accessibility for farmers from all regions of India.

Financial Support for States
The Centre is offering financial incentives to states to encourage the rapid setup of registration camps:

• ₹15,000 per camp for organizing registration activities
• ₹10 per Farmer ID created

These incentives, drawn from the PM-Kisan scheme, are designed to alleviate financial burdens on state governments and facilitate faster farmer registration.

How Will Farmers Benefit?
The Kisan Pehchaan Patra will bring several benefits to farmers:

• Quicker Access to Benefits: Farmers will directly receive government support and subsidies through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Financial Inclusion: With digital identities, farmers will have easier access to loans, insurance, and credit, which will improve their financial resilience.
• Better Agricultural Policies: The Farmer Registry will provide valuable data, leading to more informed policy decisions and better-targeted welfare schemes.

Implementation Challenges
While the initiative has great potential, there are challenges in its implementation:

• Digital Literacy: Awareness and training will be needed for farmers, particularly in rural areas, to ensure they can participate.
• Infrastructure: Organizing registration camps in rural and remote locations might require extensive logistical support.

The Kisan Pehchaan Patra is a monumental step towards modernizing the Indian agricultural sector. By offering Aadhaar-linked digital identities to farmers, the government is enhancing transparency, ensuring better-targeted benefits, and improving access to financial services. With state-level cooperation and the introduction of financial incentives, this program will empower millions of farmers and foster a more sustainable and efficient agriculture system.