Madhya Pradesh's Initiative to Digitise Farmland Records Supports Central Government's Goals

Bhopal, March 4 (NationPress) In an effort to establish a thorough database of farmers associated with their respective land records, the government of Madhya Pradesh is set to digitise all existing farmland records.

While this is an independent initiative by the state, it will also support the Central government's ongoing efforts to create unique identities, similar to Aadhaar, for farmers.

The cabinet of Madhya Pradesh has resolved to kickstart this extensive campaign to digitise farmland records that validate farmers’ land rights. An investment of Rs 138 crore will be allocated for this initiative.

Though this endeavor is distinct from the Central government's directive for states to develop comprehensive digitised farmland records, it will still contribute to the central government’s objective of establishing unique farmer identities.

According to a government spokesperson speaking to IANS, 'The land record has been digitised in Madhya Pradesh, but issues related to farmland frequently arise in district offices and civil court proceedings. This initiative will address such challenges. Furthermore, the state will support the central government’s mission.'

This digitisation effort will assist the Central government's initiative to generate digital IDs for farmers across various states, although it is primarily a Central government program.

Under the central government’s strategy, Madhya Pradesh is expected to develop a comprehensive digitisation of farmland records to ensure farmers receive unique IDs. 'Madhya Pradesh has had its land records digitised since 2012, but this new initiative aims to include all available records; the process will require two to three years due to extensive tasks like surveying actual landowners, tenants, and even landless farmers,' a state agriculture department official stated.

The union ministry, along with multiple states, has issued digital IDs to over 34 million farmers across 11 states. The union ministry has urged states to finalise the digitisation of land records and update the names of beneficiaries to facilitate the generation of farmers' digital IDs.

In the fiscal years 2026 and 2027, an additional 30 million and 20 million farmers are anticipated to receive their digital IDs, respectively. These unique IDs will streamline the process of sanctioning credit and crop insurance, while also making cash transfers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan) scheme more efficient.

Currently, the PM Kisan scheme employs API-based software to verify the land records of farmers applying for benefits. If a new applicant arises under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, the state's revenue department will need to implement a mechanism to update the records.