In a significant move to streamline agricultural benefits, the Bhagalpur district administration has launched a major digital initiative aimed at creating a comprehensive registry for local farmers. This project is designed to digitise land records and provide each farmer with a unique identity number, ultimately simplifying their access to crucial government schemes and financial services.
Core Objectives of the Digital Registry
Spearheaded by District Agriculture Officer (DAO) Prem Shanker Prasad, the initiative seeks to transform how farmers interact with support systems. The primary goal is to digitise the agricultural framework, making it significantly easier for cultivators to avail themselves of benefits under programs like the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, obtain bank loans, secure subsidies, and receive disaster relief.
DAO Prem Shanker Prasad explained that each enrolled farmer will receive a unique ID linked directly to their land ownership details. This digital ID will serve as a universal verification tool. The registry will create a complete digital map of all plots and land holdings, effectively eliminating the need for farmers to carry and present separate physical documents for different parcels of land or for various applications.
Scale and Implementation Strategy
The department has set an ambitious target to digitise the land records of approximately one lakh farmers under this new registry. The process is already underway through a combination of special camps and planned outreach at the panchayat level.
To ensure smooth execution, the agriculture department has conducted extensive awareness programs. These sessions have targeted not only the farmers themselves but also key stakeholders involved in the process. Officials including circle officers, halka karamcharis (patwaris), land revenue officers, block agriculture officials, and subdivision-level officers have been briefed on the new system.
Enrollment Process and Required Documents
Farmers in the Bhagalpur region have two convenient ways to register for the digital ID. They can either enroll online or visit village-level camps set up by kisan salahkars (advisors), krishi samanvayaks (co-coordinators), and Common Service Centres (CSCs).
The documents required for enrollment are:
- Aadhaar Card (must be linked to an active mobile number for OTP verification)
- Active mobile number
- Land revenue receipts
- Official ownership records and land possession certificates
- Bank account details linked to the Aadhaar Card
Once the enrollment form is submitted, the provided land records will be verified by the local halka karamchari. The final step involves completing an e-KYC process through Aadhaar authentication, securing the farmer's digital identity.
Broader Impact and Future Benefits
Beyond individual farmer convenience, the digitised registry is poised to have a transformative effect on agricultural governance. DAO Prasad emphasized that the consolidated data will empower the government in better planning, targeted policymaking, and more efficient resource allocation. This centralised, accurate database is expected to bring a sea change in the lives of farming families in Bhagalpur.
By bridging the gap between farmers and the benefits meant for them, this digital push in Bhagalpur represents a critical step towards modernising India's agricultural ecosystem at the grassroots level.
