In a significant move to streamline benefits for the farming community, the Bhagalpur district agriculture department has launched a major initiative to create a comprehensive digital registry of farmers. This project aims to digitise land records and provide unique identity numbers to approximately one lakh farmers in the region.
Digital Push for Farmer Welfare
District Agriculture Officer (DAO) Prem Shanker Prasad announced the initiative on Wednesday, stating that the core objective is to simplify the process for farmers to avail themselves of various government schemes. The digitised framework will be crucial for accessing the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, bank loans, subsidies, and disaster relief funds. Prasad emphasised that a farmer-specific ID is now essential for these benefits.
"Each farmer will receive a unique ID linked to their land ownership for seamless verification," explained the DAO. "The registry will create a complete digital map of plots and holdings, which will eliminate the need for farmers to carry separate physical documents for different parcels of land."
How the Registration Process Works
The department has already begun awareness programmes for farmers and key stakeholders, including circle officers, village revenue personnel (patwari), land revenue officials, and block agriculture officials. Farmers need to submit specific documents for enrolment.
The required documents include an Aadhaar Card linked to an active mobile number for OTP verification, the mobile number itself, land revenue receipts, ownership records, a land possession certificate, and a bank account linked to the Aadhaar Card.
Farmers can enrol through two primary channels: online portals or by visiting village-level camps set up by Kisan Salahkar (advisor), Krishi Samanvayak (co-coordinator), and Common Service Centres. After form submission, the land records will be verified by the local halka karamchari, and e-KYC will be completed via Aadhaar authentication.
Broader Impact and Future Planning
Beyond individual farmer benefits, the DAO highlighted that the centralised digital registry will empower the government in better planning, policymaking, and resource allocation. The digitisation work is currently in progress at special camps and will subsequently be expanded to the panchayat level.
"This initiative is set to bring a sea change in the lives of farmers and their families," DAO Prem Shanker Prasad stated confidently. By creating a transparent and accessible digital record, the Bhagalpur agriculture department aims to bridge the gap between government welfare schemes and their intended beneficiaries, ensuring that support reaches farmers efficiently and without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
