Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches Upgraded Agri Welfare Portal to Bring Government Schemes Closer to Farmers

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan has formally launched the upgraded Agri Welfare Portal, aimed at providing farmers with easy mobile access to government schemes, financial assistance and essential agricultural information.

The initiative advances Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India and farmer welfare by bringing multiple agricultural services together on a single digital platform. The portal is designed to help farmers access information and apply for schemes without repeatedly visiting government offices or navigating multiple websites.

Addressing the launch programme, Chouhan said the government should remain accessible to citizens and farmers through mobile phones. He emphasised that technology becomes meaningful when it reaches farms and makes farmers’ lives easier.

Single Window for Agricultural Schemes and Services

The upgraded portal will serve as a common gateway to various initiatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. It will connect farmers with information about government schemes, subsidies, eligibility requirements, application procedures and digital services.

The platform will also support initiatives such as PM-KISAN, AgriStack and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, enabling users to access relevant services through a single digital entry point.

According to the ministry, the portal is intended to reduce administrative hurdles, save time and improve access to official information.

Benefits for Farmers and Rural Communities

The portal is designed to provide several services and benefits:

• Access to schemes: Information on government programmes, subsidies, rules and application procedures in one place.
• Greater transparency: Online eligibility checks and digital applications are intended to make access to benefits more transparent. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanisms can facilitate the transfer of eligible assistance into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
• Agricultural information: Farmers will be able to access information on weather, scientific farming practices, seed and fertiliser availability, and market prices.
• Mobile-friendly access: The platform has been designed to work on ordinary smartphones and accommodate users in rural areas with slower internet connections.
• Accessibility: The portal follows government digital accessibility standards and is designed to support persons with disabilities, including screen-reader users.

These features are intended to improve access to agricultural information and reduce the difficulties farmers may face while navigating government services.

Portal to Connect FPOs, PACS and Agricultural Experts

The portal is not limited to individual farmers. It is also intended to bring together Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), agricultural scientists, researchers and startups.

This broader approach aims to strengthen information-sharing and improve coordination across the agricultural ecosystem.

Chouhan directed officials to ensure that information on the portal remains accurate and is updated regularly. He stressed that outdated or incomplete information could undermine public trust in digital services.

He also called for simple language and easy procedures so that small and marginal farmers, including those with limited formal education, can use the platform effectively.

Training and Digital Accessibility

To help farmers become familiar with the portal and other digital tools, a dedicated training campaign will be conducted through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country.

The upgraded platform has been developed in accordance with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) 3.0 and Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) 3.0.

These standards address aspects of government website design, usability, security and accessibility.

Officials Attend Launch Programme

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Secretary Atish Chandra, Additional Secretary Pramod Meherda, officials from the ministry’s Digital Agriculture Division and senior representatives of the National Informatics Centre (NIC) attended the programme.

The minister appreciated the technical team for preparing the upgraded portal and highlighted the importance of maintaining reliable information and a user-friendly interface.

Conclusion

The upgraded Agri Welfare Portal is intended to make agricultural schemes and services more accessible through a single digital platform. By combining scheme information, agricultural updates and digital services, the initiative seeks to reduce administrative barriers and strengthen farmers’ access to government support.

Its effectiveness will depend on the timely updating of information, ease of use in rural areas and the ability of farmers to access and navigate its services.