Digital Kisan Cell

For the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Haryana

January 2019 - December 2019

The team set up Digital Kisan Cell, an IEC and Public Policy wing, at the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Haryana, which was launched in 2019 by the Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind. The team helped the Department digitise extension services to the farmers in the State through social media and ameliorated the agricultural scenario with the application of AI and other scientific technologies, coupled with active on-ground campaigns to disseminate best practises.

Key Highlights

  • 1.5 million reach on social media.
  • 40,000+ SMS were sent to farmers every day under the CRM Scheme.
  • A Project Monitoring Unit was established for the Department of Higher Education to monitor all schemes and projects.
  • 3 IEC trucks and 22 educational vans were launched and deployed to tour the State to educate farmers.
  • Wall paintings were made in 7,000 villages across the State on the themes of Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Crop Residue Management, and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

Key Activities

  • Management of State Level Campaigns for the Crop Residue Management Scheme and Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
  • Krishi Kiosks were set up at key locations to provide digitised access to information.
  • Automatic Weather Stations were set up across the state to monitor Active Fire Locations in real-time to curb the menace of crop residue burning.
  • Auto-Operable Water Pumps were promoted to minimise the wastage of water in irrigation.
  • WhatsApp operations were used to reach out to the farmers with relevant information in video, audio, and text formats.

Key initiatives under Jal Shakti Abhiyan

  • Dedicated social media campaigns were initiated to raise awareness of water conservation.
  • Special appreciation was received from the Chief Secretary, Agriculture on the initiatives adopted.
  • Upon the Chief Secretary’s request, the team managed the campaign for the entire State and converged with various departments.
  • Block Level Kisan Melas were organised for Jal Pe Charcha, with a special focus on irrigation practises.
  • State-wise plantation drives, marathons, and rallies and Jal Sanchay Rath were launched.

Key initiatives under Crop Residue Management Scheme

  • CRM Pakhwada was launched in 16 dark zone districts with high cases of stubble burning.
  • Farmers were urged to adopt environmentally friendly alternatives to manage crop residue using print media, on-ground awareness campaigns, and social media.
  • State Level CRM Mela - Dhuein Ko Dein Dhobhi Pachhad organised.
  • Demonstration of CRM Machines was held.
  • State Level Gram Sabhas were organised on Zero Crop Residue Burning.
  • 1.25 lakh NSS and other volunteers, the Parali Paltan, were engaged to raise awareness.

Events Managed

The Digital Kisan Cell assisted the Department in organising various State Level Events including:

  • 4th Agri Leadership Summit
  • PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Launch Event
  • Meri Fasal, Mera Byora Launch Event
  • Parali Prabandhan Par Rashtriya Kisan Sammelan