The UZHAVAR app is transforming the agricultural landscape of Tamil Nadu, by bridging the gap between farmers and essential government schemes.
The app empowers farmers through a unified digital platform. It simplifies access to agricultural information, government subsidies, and expert advisory services.
By integrating the efforts of critical departments such as agriculture, horticulture, agricultural engineering, seed certification and marketing, in collaboration with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and the Tamil Nadu Watershed Development Agency, the UZHAVAR App and its variety of schemes ensure timely, accurate, and actionable resources to farmers.
Since its inception, the UZHAVAR App has touched the lives of over 3.5 million farmers, providing a wide array of services aimed at enhancing productivity and ensuring financial stability.
Of these, over 1.9 million beneficiaries are from agriculture, 1.6 million from horticulture, and the rest across engineering and marketing support.
The accompanying table presents a detailed breakdown of beneficiaries across various departments, showcasing the schemes significant outreach and impact.
Other initiatives
Farmers now experience greater security through initiatives like the ‘Chief Minister’s Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaappom Scheme’, which shields them from financial distress caused by crop losses due to climatic adversities.
Similarly, the ‘Rainfed Area Development – IFS 2024-25’ scheme has equipped rainfed regions with irrigation systems, crop diversification strategies, and water conservation techniques, ensuring a consistent yield.
In the quest for nutritional security, programmes such as the ‘Food and Nutritional Security (FNS) Nutri-Cereals 2023-24’ initiative have encouraged the cultivation of millets, which are both drought-resistant and nutritious.
Coupled with the ‘TN Millet Mission’, these programmes are paving the way for sustainable farming and catering to the growing demand for healthy grains.
Additionally, the ‘TN Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Project’ has optimised irrigation systems, significantly improving water-use efficiency while boosting crop yields. Complementary efforts through the ‘Kalaingar All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Program’ provide integrated resources and training at the village level, fostering grassroots-level empowerment.
A Digital Future
The app’s real-time features, such as access to market prices, weather updates, fertilizer stock, and e-marketplace opportunities, have revolutionised the decision-making process for farmers.
For instance, the ‘Uzhavar e-Market’ platform connects farmers directly to buyers, cutting out intermediaries and enhancing profits.
While the UZHAVAR App has made significant strides, the journey towards a fully digitized and farmer-centric agricultural ecosystem is ongoing. Future enhancements could include AI-driven predictive analytics for crop health, expanded access to global markets through enhanced e-commerce platforms, and tailored training modules for modern agricultural techniques.
The app’s success demonstrates the potential of technology to revolutionise traditional farming, creating a more resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural community in Tamil Nadu.
For continued support and updates, farmers are encouraged to visit tnagrisnet.tn.gov.
Devi is Assistant Professor, AJK College of Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, and Anand is Assistant Professor, Alagappa University, Karaikudi