Latest news with #AgriStack
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Farmers to get AI push, Maha to allot Rs500cr for 1st 3 years
Nagpur: The Maharashtra government on Monday approved a new Rs500 crore plan 'MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025–2029' to help farmers use artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies for better farming. The policy was approved in a cabinet meeting chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis. Over the next five years, AI will be used for tasks like crop monitoring, weather updates, farm advice, market trends, and pest control. The goal is to make farming more accurate, efficient, and profitable for farmers. Technologies like drones, smart sensors, and mobile apps will help collect and share information with farmers in real time. The policy will begin with Rs500 crore funding for the first three years. A special team, technical experts, and a new Centre for AgriTech and AI Innovation will help run the programme. This centre will also support startups and train people in using new tools. Many existing digital platforms like MahaVedh, AgriStack, CropSAP, and Mahadbt will be integrated together into a single system called agricultural data exchange (A-DeX). It will help farmers get data about land, soil, weather, and markets through easy-to-use mobile and online services. A smart system using satellite images, drones, and internet-connected devices will help government departments make better decisions. It will work along with national platforms like ISRO's Bhuvan and the central government's Fasal project. The state will also start an AI-powered service called Vistaar, which will advise farmers in Marathi using chatbots and voice assistants on topics like crops, prices, pests, and government schemes. To help farmers sell their crops in global markets, a blockchain system will track every step from the farm to the market. It will record the use of fertilizers, farming methods, and quality checks with QR codes, starting with export-quality crops. Four AI training centres will be set up in state agricultural universities. Scientists, officials, and farmer producer groups will be trained in using AI. A helpdesk will also be created for technical support. The government will also host a yearly "AI in Agriculture" event to bring together farmers, experts, companies, and investors. This event will be held in different districts each year. The government in a statement said the entire programme is designed to directly benefit farmers and make farming more modern, secure, and successful in Maharashtra.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Crop Loan Distribution Week from June 16–22 in Nagpur district
Nagpur: In a bid to ensure every eligible farmer receives timely financial support for the upcoming kharif season, Nagpur district will observe Crop Loan Distribution Week from June 16 to 22 across all bank branches. The campaign, announced by district collector Vipin Itankar, aims to streamline loan distribution under Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme and eliminate delays or exclusions. Speaking at a high-level meeting held at the collectorate on Thursday, Itankar emphasised that the current pace of crop loan distribution is "very unsatisfactory" and it must be improved immediately. He directed that a joint planning effort be undertaken at each bank branch with the participation of tehsildars, block development officers, taluka agriculture officers, and branch managers to ensure effective implementation. Loan distribution camps will be held daily from 11am to 4pm in every bank branch across the district. These camps will not only facilitate quick processing of crop loan applications but also serve as information centres where farmers will receive detailed guidance on application procedures, eligibility criteria, and necessary documents. To ensure proper monitoring and support, tehsildars will appoint nodal officers from revenue, agriculture, rural development, and other concerned departments. These officers will visit designated branches for a minimum of three hours each day to oversee operations and ensure maximum outreach. Itankar also directed officers to conduct separate guidance camps to help farmers understand the process and avoid confusion or delays. He further instructed banks to complete scrutiny and approval processes onsite during the camp itself, ensuring real-time disbursal of loans. Additionally, the campaign will promote registration of farmers on AgriStack portal for issuance of IDs, with field staff mobilised for publicity and assistance. All bank managers are required to submit daily progress reports to their respective tehsildars and the district lead manager, Bank of India. The collector stressed the importance of interdepartmental coordination to make this drive a success and uphold transparency in agricultural credit distribution. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Second national convention of women farmers: Over 500 women farmers gather in Pune to demand land rights, fair wages
More than 500 women farmers from across 17 Indian states gathered in Pune from May 7 to 9 for the second national convention of women farmers, organised by the Mahila Kisan Adhikaar Manch (MAKAAM), in partnership with the Women and Gender Studies Department of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). The convention focused on the critical issues faced by women in agriculture—land rights, recognition as farmers, fair wages, access to government schemes, and protection from systemic violence. The three-day event provided a platform for women farmers, agricultural workers, forest dwellers, and activists to share their struggles and call for action. Seema Kulkarni, a core member of MAKAAM, said the theme of the gathering was 'Organizing to realise the rights of women farmers.' 'Over the years, women's collectives and movements have worked hard to claim what is rightfully ours—land, access to government support, fair wages, and recognition,' Kulkarni said. 'We have achieved some wins, but large gaps remain in laws and policies that hold us back. Women in agriculture face deep-rooted violence—not just in their homes, but also from the system. Caste, class, and gender discrimination are all interconnected.' 'Many of us are landless and unrecognized, and our work is seen as free labour. We are tired of empty praise. We want action—equal wages, land rights, access to schemes, and protection from violence,' added Kulkarni. She also highlighted the role women play in forest protection and sustainable farming. 'Women have always played a central role in protecting forests and managing common lands. We believe in seed sovereignty, sustainable water use, and cooperation over competition. It's time the government recognizes that farmers are not just landowners, but also the women working the fields with their bare hands.' Dr. Vaishali Patil, also a core member of MAKAAM, said, 'We demand that all women farmers—whether they own land or not—must be included in the government's Farmers' Registry under AgriStack. This should happen through gram sabhas, not from the top,' she said. 'We assert our right to land because it is essential for our livelihood and food security. If land is taken for public use, it must be compensated with land—not money.' Patil also called for awareness campaigns and incentives to register land in women's names. She said proper implementation of existing laws is needed, especially for women agricultural workers. 'Most agricultural workers are women and many are migrants. They need identity cards, safe workplaces, and access to healthcare, education, and social security,' she said. She also demanded an increase in the number of workdays under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) to 200 days per year. The convention ended with a collective demand for policy change and better implementation of rights for women in agriculture.
