Jharkhand plans unique IDs to weed out ‘ghost’ farmers

Ranchi: The state agriculture department has decided to provide a unique identification (UID) number to every farmer to ensure seamless transfer of benefits under agri-related schemes. But for the time being, the department has begun allotting ‘seed tokens’ to farmers. The tokens carry details of seeds distributed, land available with the farmer and his/her Aadhaar and mobile number, among others. In the coming months, the department will provide every farmer a digitised chip-based card along with their unique ID number that will carry all relevant information pertaining to the transactions between them and the government.
Talking to TOI on Monday, state agriculture director Nisha Oraon said that the move has been conceived to bring in greater transparency and weed out ‘ghost’ farmers to prevent instances of forgery in availing agricultural schemes.
“We are working to bring out a card for farmers on the lines of Aadhaar. We have started issuing ‘seed token’ to every farmer. The token carries basic details of seed distribution, time of allotment, land available with the farmer, his/her Aadhaar and mobile number. Farmer’s UID will be an extension of the seed token,” she said.
The exercise will also allow real-time verification of farmers. As per government records, there are about 35 lakh farmers in the state. “So the ID move will also help us in authenticating the farmers and in ensuring that genuine farmers aren’t left out of any schemes,” she said.
For the first time, Jharkhand began distribution of kharif seeds from May 12 this year, weeks ahead of the monsoon. Oraon said they had placed orders for 43,483 quintals of seed and 18,000 quintals of seed have already been distributed. The department was awaiting a detailed report on crop losses due to cyclone Yaas.
“Preliminary reports suggest rabi crops suffered damage in some districts like Latehar and Kolhan regions but we are waiting for a detailed report on crop damage to arrange appropriate compensation from competent authorities. The state, however, is hopeful for a good kharif season this year as conditions are favourable and the department, too, has worked in advance to provide timely assistance to farmers,” she said.