Krishi-Decision Support System (DSS)

The Union Agriculture Ministry recently launched a digital geo-spatial platform, Krishi-Decision Support System (DSS) in New Delhi.

About Krishi-Decision Support System (DSS):

• It is a satellite-based geospatial platform designed to revolutionize the way Indian farmers manage their crops by providing real-time data on various crucial agricultural parameters.
• The launch was during the National Conference on Space-Driven Solutions for Agriculture Transformation in India, leading up to the first National Space Day on August 23.

Features and benefits of Krishi-DSS:

• Krishi-DSS is the first of its kind in India, and it is tailored specifically for the agricultural sector.
• The platform offers comprehensive tools and data, including satellite images, weather information, reservoir storage, groundwater levels and soil health information. 
• The information is accessible to farmers and stakeholders anytime, anywhere, enabling better decision-making and more efficient farming practices. 
• The system includes advanced modules for crop mapping and monitoring, which help in understanding crop patterns, promoting crop rotation, and encouraging sustainable agriculture.
• The drought monitoring feature provides near real-time data on soil moisture, water storage, and crop conditions, helping farmers stay ahead of potential droughts.
• Additionally, the platform supports field parcel segmentation, allowing precise targeting of interventions based on each parcel’s unique needs.

Impact on Indian agriculture

• By integrating data from various sources, the platform empowers farmers with insights on crop health, weather patterns, and soil conditions.
• All crucial for optimizing crop yield and managing risks such as pest attacks and extreme weather events. 
• The transformational role of space technology in agriculture, emphasizing the need for early warning systems for rainfall and lightning strikes.
• The platform’s ability to provide such warnings could be vital in reducing losses and improving the livelihoods of farmers.
• Space technology has been applied in Indian agriculture since 1969, and the new platform represents a significant advancement in this ongoing partnership. 
• The Krishi-DSS is part of the broader Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture initiative, announced by Finance Minister in the 2023 budget.

Ref: Source

Frequently Asked Question: