Koil Pulwama chosen for Kashmir’s first agri stack pilot
Move paves way for digital agriculture revolution
Pulwama: In a significant step towards transforming the agriculture and horticulture sectors through technology, Koil village in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district has been selected for the implementation of Kashmir’s first Agri Stack Pilot Project, an ambitious initiative aimed at creating a comprehensive digital database of farmers and agricultural resources.
The pilot project, launched by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, seeks to modernize farming practices through digital solutions and data-driven governance. Koil village is among only two villages in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir identified for the pioneering initiative, placing it at the forefront of the region’s agricultural digital transformation.
To familiarize farmers with the objectives and benefits of the programme, a two-day awareness campaign commenced in Koil on June 15. The programme witnessed active participation from officials of the Agriculture, Horticulture and Revenue Departments, who interacted with farmers and explained the various components of the Agri Stack initiative.
The awareness sessions attracted a large gathering of local farmers, many of whom expressed keen interest in the scheme and its potential to simplify access to government services and agricultural support systems.
Officials said the Agri Stack initiative aims to establish a unified digital platform by creating verified records of farmers, their land holdings, crops cultivated and other agriculture-related information. The digital database is expected to improve the delivery of government schemes, subsidies, crop insurance benefits and financial assistance by ensuring accurate and transparent beneficiary identification.
They added that the platform will facilitate real-time access to agricultural information, helping farmers receive timely advisories, weather updates, crop-related recommendations and other services through digital channels.
During the programme, experts highlighted how the initiative would reduce paperwork, enhance transparency and strengthen coordination among various departments involved in the agriculture sector. Farmers were informed about the process of record digitisation and the importance of providing accurate information to ensure seamless integration into the digital system.
Participants were also briefed on the long-term advantages of the project, including improved planning, better resource management, enhanced access to credit facilities and the possibility of introducing precision farming practices through data-driven interventions.
Local farmers welcomed the initiative, describing it as a progressive step towards modernizing agriculture in the region. Many expressed hope that the digital platform would help address long-standing challenges related to documentation, scheme implementation and access to government services.
Officials said the pilot project in Koil will serve as a model for wider implementation across Jammu and Kashmir in the coming years. If successful, the initiative is expected to lay the foundation for a more efficient, transparent and technology-enabled agricultural ecosystem, ultimately benefiting thousands of farmers across the Union Territory.
The selection of Koil village for the prestigious pilot project marks an important milestone in Kashmir’s journey towards digital agriculture, reflecting the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for rural development and farmer empowerment.
