Delhi to Create Digital IDs for Every Farmer Under New Scheme

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced plans to digitise the entire agricultural system in the capital. Every farmer will get a digital ID. Every field will appear on digital maps. The move comes under the Centre’s SASCI scheme, which rewards states for modernising agriculture.

How the SASCI Scheme Works

The Special Assistance to the States for Capital Investment scheme pushes states to go digital. Delhi will create a State Farmer Registry and conduct Digital Crop Surveys. The Centre will release funds based on how well the state performs these tasks.

The Central Government has set aside Rs 5,000 crore for states that build digital records of farmers and farmland. Delhi will receive its share from this pool. The better Delhi performs, the faster it gets the money.

CM Gupta explained that this system will eliminate errors in major schemes. Farmers often face problems with crop insurance claims, compensation payments, minimum support price calculations, and subsidy distribution. Digital records will fix these issues by creating accurate, verified data.

Digital Crop Survey Replaces Manual Checks

Delhi currently uses manual crop inspection called girdawari. Officials physically visit fields to record what farmers grow. This system allows mistakes and fraud.

The new digital crop survey will change everything. Teams will record the exact location of every field using GPS technology. They will photograph crops and link these images to satellite maps. Each field will be mapped with 20-metre accuracy.

This creates a permanent, verifiable record. Officials can check crop data anytime without visiting fields. Farmers cannot claim false information about their land size or crops. Documents cannot be forged.

What Farmers Will Get

Every farmer in Delhi will receive a digital identity card. This ID will connect to their land records, crop history, and government scheme benefits. Farmers can use this ID to access all agricultural services in one place.

Land records will move to a digital platform. Farmers can view their property boundaries on maps. They can check records online instead of visiting government offices. This saves time and reduces corruption.

The system will ensure farmers receive their rightful benefits. Crop insurance companies cannot deny valid claims. Subsidy amounts will be calculated correctly. MSP payments will reach the right people at the right time.

Implementation Plan

The Delhi Government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre to start the project. The Revenue Department will handle the work since it maintains land records.

A special monitoring unit will track progress. This unit ensures tasks finish on time so Delhi receives funds without delay. The Centre releases money in phases based on completed milestones.

CM Gupta stressed this scheme goes beyond technology. It gives farmers proper identity, protects their rights, and brings transparency to the entire system.

Why This Matters

Delhi’s agricultural sector has struggled with outdated record keeping. Farmers face delays in receiving benefits. Some miss out on schemes because officials cannot verify their details. Others lose money due to calculation errors.

Digital records solve these problems permanently. Every transaction leaves a trail. Officials cannot manipulate data. Farmers get what they deserve without running between offices.

The system also helps the government plan better. Accurate crop data shows what farmers grow and where. This helps in arranging storage, predicting market supply, and planning support prices.

Delhi joins other states modernising their agricultural systems. The SASCI scheme encourages this change by linking funding to performance. States that digitise faster receive more money to improve rural infrastructure.

The project marks a major shift in how Delhi manages agriculture and supports its farming community.