Source: PIB
Context:
On 27 November 2025, the Puducherry Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Thiru K. Djeacoumar, launched Smart Farmer Identification Cards (SFIC) at the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) meeting. Supported by NABARD under its Farm Sector Promotion Fund, the initiative aims to digitize farmers’ records, streamline access to government schemes, and enhance transparency in agricultural financing.
Key Highlights:
- Launched By: Thiru K. Djeacoumar, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister
- Supporting Agency: NABARD (Grant: ₹9.50 lakh)
- Program: AgriStack — part of India’s digital agriculture framework
- Attendance: Finance Secretary, Agriculture Secretary, NABARD GM, RBI GM, Indian Bank ED, senior officials, and farmers
About Smart Farmer ID Cards (SFIC)
- Format: QR code-enabled, replacing traditional booklet-style ID cards
- Purpose: Provides single digital identity for farmers
- Key Benefits:
- Availing crop loans, subsidies, and government schemes
- Authorized as valid alternative to traditional land documents
- Real-time verification and paperless transactions
- Prevents duplication and enhances transparency
- Enables future services like digital Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), crop insurance, and online benefit delivery
Significance
- Digital Agriculture: Supports India’s move towards paperless, transparent, and secure agricultural financing
- Farmer Empowerment: Simplifies access to loans, subsidies, and schemes
- Financial Inclusion: Reduces delays, ensures real-time verification, and prevents fraud
- Replication Potential: Serves as a model for other states
