Government of Goa launched Digital Krishi Card for Farmers

Goa Government on 29 April 2013 launched a digital Krishi Card which is supposed to help farmers in making use of benefits such as subsidies and loans given by the State Government.

The Digiltal Krishi card was officially launched by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar which is based on the database created by the State Agriculture Department at Porvorim.

The introduction of the digitally coded card is a landmark and is going to spare farmers from the need of repeatedly producing documents to gain subsidies.

It is important here to note that around 10000-15000 farmers with clear land holdings would benefit from the card during the first phase, followed by landless agriculturists.

The next major initiative of the Government of Goa will be introduction of similar cards for fishermen and dairy farmers; the cards have been conceptualized by the State-run Goa Electronic Ltd.

Benefits of the Digital Krishi Card

• Earlier framers had to go through the confusion of submitting documents such as affidavits every time they applied for agro subsidies.With the launch of Digital Krishi Card they will have to quote the Unique Identity Number to get access to the subsidy.
• The card would also make farmers eligible for loans depending on their land holding.
• A loan of up to 30000 rupees per annum for farmers owning a minimum of one hectare would be made available through various financial institutions to be empanelled by the Government.
•  The card would not be a legal document if the farmer or tenant wants to stake his claim over the land.