Precision Farming Unleashed: GCES App and web Portal for Farmers

In a groundbreaking move to harness the power of technology for the benefit of farmers across India, Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), has unveiled a transformative mobile application and web portal for the General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES). This digital initiative, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision, aims to revitalize agricultural practices and usher in a new era of precision farming. The launch event emphasized the vital importance of real-time data and advanced technology in agriculture, underscoring the need for accurate information to drive agricultural decisions.

Overview

The launch of the General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES) mobile application and web portal by Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), marks a significant milestone in India’s agricultural sector. In alignment with the Prime Minister’s digital vision, this initiative aims to revolutionize farming practices across the nation. 

The GCES platform addresses key challenges such as reporting delays and lack of transparency in crop data collection by introducing GPS-enabled mobile data collection, ensuring real-time reporting and precise location-based data. It offers comprehensive information on crop yield estimation and features geo-referencing for enhanced data accuracy. With support from various departments and agencies, this digital transformation promises to empower farmers with accurate, timely, and transparent crop data, ushering in a new era of precision farming in India.

Key Points

1. Challenges Addressed by GCES Web Portal and Mobile Application

   • • Delay in Reporting: Historically, data collection, compilation, and yield estimation have relied on manual processes, causing significant delays in reporting by states. The new approach involves GPS-enabled mobile applications, ensuring the prompt reporting of crop statistics.
     • Transparency: GPS-enabled devices provide precise latitude and longitude coordinates for data collection points. This information establishes a direct link between data and specific geographic locations, eliminating ambiguity and data manipulation concerns.

2. Key Features of the GCES Web Portal and Mobile Application

   • • Comprehensive Information: The portal and the app serve as an extensive repository of yield estimation data. They provide village-wise GCES plans, plot details where crop cutting experiments are conducted, post-harvest crop weights, and crop driage weight information.
     • Geo-referencing: Geo-referencing is a standout feature of the mobile application, empowering field workers to delineate the boundaries of experimental plots and upload accompanying photos of both the plots and crops. This capability significantly augments data transparency and precision.

3. Shri Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary, DA&FW, highlighted the successful integration of advanced technologies in various sectors of agriculture. He encouraged states to fully adopt the GCES web portal and mobile application for improved outcomes and reliable estimations.
4. Shri Arun Kumar, Senior Economic and Statistical Adviser, welcomed Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja and discussed ongoing initiatives at DAC&FW to enhance data accuracy and digital data governance in agriculture. He emphasized how these initiatives would usher in a new era of more accurate and real-time crop yield monitoring.
5. Ms. Ruchika Gupta, Adviser, DA & FW, shared essential insights into the GCES portal and mobile application’s development. She emphasized that automation would streamline the GCES process, ensuring timely reporting of crop statistics and data accuracy. Ms. Gupta also mentioned that various agencies, including the Revenue Department, Agriculture Department, and Directorate of Economics & Statistics, are involved in conducting Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE) in different states.
6. Ms. Sonia Sharma, Additional Statistical Adviser, DA&FW, presented the revamped process flow of GCES using the web portal and mobile application, which are currently undergoing pilot testing in 12 states and scheduled for rollout by the 3rd week of October 2023.

Conclusion

The launch of the GCES mobile app and web portal marks a significant advancement in Indian agriculture, driven by Shri Manoj Ahuja and the DA & FW. Aligned with the Prime Minister’s tech-focused vision, this initiative addresses reporting delays and data transparency, ushering in a new era of precision farming. GPS integration enables real-time, location-specific data, empowering farmers for informed decisions and promoting data-driven agriculture. As it progresses through pilot testing towards the full October 2023 rollout, the GCES platform promises timely, precise, and transparent crop information, fostering increased productivity and sustainable farming for India’s agricultural communities.This technology-driven approach holds the promise of increased agricultural productivity, sustainable farming, and a brighter future for India’s farming communities.