Nilgiris District Achieves Full Farmer ID Registration in Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore Ranks Fifth
In a significant development for agricultural administration in Tamil Nadu, the Nilgiris district has secured the top position with a perfect 100% registration rate under the unique farmer identification number scheme. Meanwhile, Coimbatore district ranks fifth, achieving an 86.3% registration rate, according to recent data from the agriculture department.
Mandatory Registration for Government Subsidy Benefits
Officials have emphasized that farmers without this unique identification number will not be eligible to avail benefits under various government subsidy schemes. M Thamilselvi, the joint director of agriculture in Coimbatore, stated that it has become mandatory for farmers to register their land ownership documents and obtain the farmer ID to receive benefits from both central and state government initiatives.
This requirement is part of the broader Agri Stack project, a central government digital initiative aimed at digitizing farmers' data along with land records. Similar to the Aadhaar system, this project issues each farmer a unique identification number, streamlining access to agricultural support programs.
PM-KISAN Scheme and Upcoming Instalments
The PM-KISAN scheme, operational since 2018, provides farmers with Rs 6,000 per year in three instalments of Rs 2,000 every four months from the central government. With the 22nd instalment set to be released soon across the country, the agriculture department has urgently appealed to farmers in Tamil Nadu who have not yet obtained their farmer ID to complete registration immediately.
Under the Agri Stack project, farmers' details and land records are being systematically registered, with a unique ID number issued to each individual. This effort involves collaboration among officials from multiple departments, including agriculture, horticulture and hill crops, agricultural engineering, agricultural marketing, agribusiness, and revenue, who are jointly collecting farmers' data at the field level.
Future Benefits and Single-Window System
In the coming years, benefits under schemes such as PM-KISAN, crop insurance, and other central and state government programs will be disbursed based on this comprehensive farmers' database. This system aims to create a single-window platform, allowing farmers to access benefits from various departments without the need for repeated document verification during applications.
In Coimbatore district, out of 85,429 farmers, 73,731 have successfully registered, while 11,698 remain unregistered. The agriculture department is intensifying field-level efforts to ensure no farmer is left out. Officials have issued a stern warning that those without the unique farmer ID will not be recognized as eligible farmers and may be unable to avail subsidy benefits in the future.
Registration Rankings and Opposition
The registration rankings across Tamil Nadu districts are as follows:
- The Nilgiris district leads with 100% farmer ID registration.
- Kanyakumari comes second with 92.9% registration.
- Tirupur ranks third with 89.4% registration.
- Ranipet is fourth with 87.4% registration.
- Coimbatore holds the fifth position with 86.3% registration.
However, the scheme has faced opposition from the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam. Dr G Ranganathan, a state executive committee member of the association, expressed concerns, stating, "Tamil Nadu government should clarify the purpose of enrolling farmers for a new unique ID."
How to Register for the Unique Farmer ID
Farmers can register for the unique identification number by uploading their land documents and Aadhaar number through the following platforms:
- The official PM-KISAN website at pmkisan.gov.in
- The Tamil Nadu farmer registry portal at tnfr.agristack.gov.in/farmer-registry-tn/#/
- The tnshayak mobile application
- Common service centres across the region
This initiative represents a critical step towards modernizing agricultural support systems in Tamil Nadu, ensuring efficient and transparent delivery of benefits to the farming community.
