Microsoft to promote digital agriculture in 100 Indian villages
Published: Apr 15, 2021
y TIOLCORPLAWS News Service
NEW DELHI, APR 15, 2021: THE Agriculture Ministry and Microsoft India have inked a pact for a pilot project in 100 villages of six States to promote digital agriculture by developing a farmer interface for smart and well-organised harvest practices.
For the one-year project, Microsoft has joined in with its local partner, CropData. A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Ministry of Agriculture, and both sides will bear the cost on their own.
Agriculture Minister Mr Narendra Singh Tomar said the collaboration will shape the government’s idea of digital agriculture and increase use of modern technologies in the sector, thereby enhancing the income of farmers.
"With the use of technology farming will be a profitable venture for the farmers and the new generation will also get attracted towards agriculture," he said.
Microsoft will launch the pilot project in selected 100 villages in 10 districts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. They will develop a farmer interface for smart and well-organised agriculture, including post-harvest management and distribution.
The project will carry out various tasks for the betterment of farmers in the selected 100 villages, which will enhance their income. It will reduce the input costs for farmers and make farming easy. The ministry will also undertake similar pilot projects with other public and private players.
