Bihar Government Reviews Agristack Progress, Announces Free Farmer Registration Drive
In a significant move to boost digital agriculture initiatives, the Bihar government conducted a comprehensive review meeting on the Agristack project under the leadership of Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit. The high-level session, held in Patna, saw participation from all district magistrates who joined virtually through videoconferencing to discuss the project's implementation and future roadmap.
Mission-Mode Registration Schedule Announced
The meeting featured a detailed presentation reviewing ongoing work and achievements under the Agristack initiative. A crucial decision emerged with the establishment of a mission-mode schedule for farmer registry, scheduled from February 2 to February 6. This intensive drive aims to connect the maximum number of farmers to the digital system, creating a comprehensive database for agricultural planning and benefit distribution.
No Fees for Farmers: Government Bears All Costs
In a farmer-friendly directive, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit ordered that absolutely no fees of any kind be charged from farmers during the registration process. This includes the discontinuation of the previous service charge of Rs 15 that was collected through Common Service Centres (CSC) and Vasudha centres. The government clarified that all associated costs will now be borne by the concerned department, ensuring direct and unhindered benefits reach farmers without financial burden.
Performance Targets and Financial Incentives
The state government has set ambitious targets for district administrations, instructing all districts to ensure registration of at least 50% of PM-Kisan beneficiary farmers within the stipulated timeframe. Districts demonstrating satisfactory progress were specifically asked to intensify their efforts further to achieve even higher participation rates.
To motivate district-level performance, the government announced a system of financial incentives linked to registration achievements. Districts that successfully complete 50% registration of PM-Kisan beneficiaries will receive Rs 1.5 lakh, while those achieving 35% registration will be rewarded with Rs 50,000. This performance-linked approach aims to create healthy competition among districts while accelerating the project's implementation.
Expedited Implementation for Phase Two Transition
Chief Secretary Amrit directed officials to expedite Agristack work across all districts, emphasizing that Bihar should transition to the second phase of the project at the earliest possible opportunity. He stressed that implementation must consistently prioritize the state's agricultural interests and farmer welfare, ensuring the digital infrastructure serves local needs effectively.
Farmer ID Preparation: A Transparency Initiative
Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department, Narmadeshwar Lal, provided crucial insights during the meeting, instructing district magistrates to ensure preparation of farmer IDs for every raiyat (cultivator) farmer. He described this initiative as a major step toward delivering government scheme benefits to farmers in a transparent, convenient, and time-bound manner. The digital IDs will serve as a foundation for streamlined service delivery and targeted agricultural support.
The comprehensive review meeting reflects Bihar's commitment to leveraging technology for agricultural transformation, with the Agristack project positioned as a cornerstone for modernizing farmer services and ensuring efficient benefit distribution across the state's agricultural sector.
