DEHRADUN: The state government has initiated a major step towards digitising agriculture by beginning large-scale preparations for the creation of a digital identity for all farmers under the AgriStack scheme (Farmer Registry Drive Under AgriStack Scheme). As part of this process, a one-day training programme was organised for officers and employees of the Revenue and Agriculture departments of the Garhwal division to ensure smooth implementation of the Farmer Registry across the state.
Our correspondent reports that the training programme was held to familiarise field-level officials with the technical, administrative and verification procedures required for preparing a comprehensive digital database of farmers. The programme was chaired by S. N. Pandey, Secretary, Agriculture and Revenue, and attended by Ranjana Rajguru, Commissioner and Secretary of the Revenue Council.
Representatives of the government, including Chinmay Mehta and Harshad Patel, also participated in the programme and provided detailed training on the AgriStack framework and the operational aspects of the Farmer Registry.
During the training, officials were informed that the Farmer Registry has been launched by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare with the objective of digitally linking farmers to government schemes and welfare programmes. The registry will function as a centralised database where farmers can register themselves to obtain a unique digital identity, commonly referred to as a Farmer ID or Kisan ID.
Officials explained that the Farmer ID will be an 11-digit unique identification number, which will be generated only after the completion of e-KYC and field-level verification. Once created, this digital identity will serve as a permanent reference for farmers while accessing various government services and benefits.
The training programme highlighted that Uttarakhand has already successfully completed a Proof of Concept (PoC) for the Farmer Registry. In August 2025, the pilot project was carried out in four revenue villages of Dehradun district, Kyari and Laton in Kalsi tehsil, and Hanol and Kanda in Tyuni tehsil, with technical support from the central government team. Under the pilot, 128 cultivators were registered on an experimental basis, demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of the system.
Our correspondent adds that the successful completion of the PoC has encouraged the state government to move towards full-scale implementation of the Farmer Registry across all districts. Officials said the experience gained during the pilot phase will help streamline processes and address field-level challenges during the statewide rollout.
During the training, it was clarified that the responsibility for creating the Farmer Registry will be shared between the Agriculture and Revenue departments. Officials of the Agriculture department will act as Registration Officers, responsible for enrolling farmers, while Revenue department officials will function as Verifiers and Approvers, ensuring the accuracy and authenticity of land and farmer details.
Authorities emphasised that the Farmer Registry will play a crucial role in ensuring transparent and timely delivery of benefits under various government schemes. In the first phase, priority will be given to farmers who are beneficiaries of the PM-Kisan scheme, so that upcoming instalments are released without any disruption due to data mismatches or verification issues.
Officials further stated that accurate and verified farmer data will assist the government in policy formulation, planning and implementation. The registry will enable efficient targeting of benefits such as disaster relief, agricultural subsidies, crop loans, insurance schemes and other farmer welfare initiatives.
The training session also underscored that the Farmer Registry will help in monitoring and evaluation of agricultural and farmer-centric schemes at different administrative levels. By maintaining a single, verified database, duplication of beneficiaries can be avoided and leakages in scheme implementation can be minimised.
Our correspondent reports that around 200 officers and officials participated in the training programme, including Additional District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Tehsildars and Chief Agriculture Officers from various districts of the Garhwal division. Their participation is expected to ensure effective coordination and uniform implementation of the Farmer Registry at the grassroots level.
Officials said that the AgriStack-based Farmer Registry represents a significant step towards digital governance in the agriculture sector, aligning with the broader goal of using technology to empower farmers and improve service delivery. Once fully implemented, the registry is expected to become the backbone of farmer-centric governance in the state.
The state government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every eligible farmer is included in the registry and that the transition to a digital system does not inconvenience cultivators. Officials said awareness campaigns and field-level support will be provided to help farmers understand the registration process and benefits of the digital Farmer ID.
Dheeraj reports on governance, public services, jobs, and regional developments across Uttarakhand. He specialises in recruitment news, public-sector updates, and civic issues that impact everyday citizens. His reporting brings accuracy, context, and a grassroots perspective to local journalism.
