The Centre has created 11 crore unique 11-digit Farmer IDs, or Kisan Pehchaan Patra, under the AgriStack framework, five months ahead of the March 2027 deadline, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Saturday.
These identification numbers are being issued as part of the Digital Agriculture Mission.
In a video message, Chouhan said the milestone was achieved on the night of October 23. "The task of creating 11 crore Farmer IDs has been completed ahead of schedule," he said.
‘Historic day for Indian agriculture’
Calling it a "historic day for Indian agriculture", the minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set the target of 11 crore IDs by March 2027. He linked the effort to the government's vision of a "Viksit Bharat", saying a modern agricultural sector would require the use of technology.
The Farmer ID, Chouhan said, is meant to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the right farmers at the right time and transparently. "There will no longer be a need to repeatedly submit piles of paperwork or provide endless documentation," he said.
According to the minister, the ID will be the only document a farmer needs to access bank loans, crop insurance, disaster relief and to sell produce.
Chouhan thanked officials and staff of the Central government, as well as state governments, Union Territories and district administrations, for the achievement.
Addressing farmers directly, he said they now had "their own unique identity" and urged them to take timely advantage of government schemes and adopt technology to improve farming practices.
Farmer IDs to simplify access to government schemes
The agriculture ministry in a statement said its Digital Agriculture Mission has achieved this milestone.
"The Farmer ID initiative is designed to provide farmers with a unique digital identity, enabling transparent, efficient and timely access to government schemes, bank credit, crop insurance and disaster relief, while reducing paperwork and repeated verification," the ministry said in a statement.
With Farmer IDs, access to several key services is expected to become simpler and more transparent.
Easier loans, crop insurance and disaster relief
For bank loans and the Kisan Credit Card, the ministry noted that the loan process will become easier, reducing the need for repeated document verification.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the ministry will assess compensation and disburse it through a more transparent process. The payments will be made directly into farmers’ bank accounts.
For Disaster relief assistance, financial help during emergencies will reach genuine and eligible farmers faster.
Digital system to streamline crop procurement
Even in crop procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), the ministry said the digital system will eliminate the role of intermediaries in the procurement process. Farmers will receive the full value due for their produce.
"Through the Farmer ID-based service delivery system, more than 6 crore farmers across the country have so far received direct benefits under various schemes," the statement said.
Linking a verified farmer database with agricultural services is helping eliminate fraud and the need for duplicate verification, the ministry said.