Maharashtra Makes Farmer ID Mandatory For Agricultural Scheme Benefits From April 15
Mumbai: In a move aimed at curbing corruption and plugging leakages, the Maharashtra agriculture department has made it mandatory for all farmers to quote their unique Farmer ID to avail themselves of government schemes. The rule will come into effect from April 15 and is expected to streamline the delivery of benefits and ensure only genuine beneficiaries are included.
About Farmer ID
The Farmer ID will be issued under the state’s AgriStack Maharashtra Farmer Registration (MHFR) system, a digital platform designed to consolidate farmers’ land records, crop details and personal information. Officials say the initiative will facilitate better implementation of subsidy schemes, crop insurance and direct benefit transfers (DBT), besides improving overall transparency.
While speaking to Hindustan Times, a senior official from the department said, “We have already assigned a unique Farmer ID to nine million farmers. Under the PM Kisan Yojana, benefits are extended to 12 million farmers. The remaining three million, who are currently outside the scope of this scheme, will also be brought into the system shortly. The objective is to ensure every farmer is accounted for, reducing any possibility of fraud.”
AgriStack Maharashtra is part of a larger digital transformation initiative aimed at modernising Indian agriculture. It brings together stakeholders, from farmers and government agencies to insurers and agri-tech companies, onto a single platform. With integrated digital services, the system will also enable real-time tracking of land parcels and crop cycles, assisting the state in better planning and monitoring.
The agriculture department faced criticism last year over irregularities when the ministry attempted to shift from direct bank transfers to cash handouts for scheme payouts. The then additional chief secretary (agriculture), V Radha, reportedly raised objections over potential misuse, following which she was transferred, a move that drew flak from transparency advocates.
According to reports quoting officials, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis backed the idea of a universal Farmer ID system to enhance accountability. The government believes this digital identification will not only make it easier for farmers to access schemes but also allow for better audit and tracking of subsidies and entitlements.
By centralising farmer data, the state aims to build a foolproof mechanism that can differentiate between eligible and ineligible beneficiaries, thereby ensuring efficient delivery of public funds. The system is also expected to act as a foundation for future agri-tech collaborations and policy planning.
With the rollout now imminent, farmers across Maharashtra are being urged to register and verify their details to avoid disruption in receiving government support.
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