Shivraj Chouhan Launches Upgraded Agri Welfare Portal for Farmers

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday, 19 October, launched an upgraded Agri Welfare Portal in New Delhi, according to a PIB release. The portal is meant to give farmers direct access on their mobile phones to government schemes, financial assistance and farm information, with fewer middlemen. Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra and officials of the ministry and the National Informatics Centre attended the launch.

One Window for Schemes, Subsidies and Market Prices

The ministry said the portal brings schemes, subsidies, rules and digital services into one place and links to PM-KISAN, AgriStack and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Farmers can check eligibility online, apply directly and receive payments through Direct Benefit Transfer. It also carries weather updates, scientific farming advice, seed and fertiliser availability and market prices. The site is designed to run on basic smartphones and weak rural internet, and supports screen readers for visually impaired users.

Chouhan said technology fulfils its purpose only when it reaches farms and villages, and told officials to keep the information current because “outdated or incomplete information could undermine public trust”. He said the language and steps must be simple enough for small and marginal farmers. Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the country will run a special training campaign to help farmers use the portal.

For related coverage, see IPB’s report on bank camps in panchayats from October 21 and other Quick Reads.

Source: PIB release, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

Image: PIB.