Manoj Ahuja Launches Innovative Mobile App and Web Portal for GCES to Revolutionize Farming Practices

Manoj Ahuja, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), unveiled a mobile application and web portal for the General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES). The launch event, held on September 21, marked a pivotal moment in the pursuit of more accurate & real-time data in the realm of agriculture.

The visionary move aligns with Prime Minister's emphasis on maximizing digital technology's potential for societal benefits. Ahuja underscored the critical need for real-time estimates and technological advancements in agriculture. He emphasized that data accuracy is pivotal for generating truthful and reliable outcomes, with the responsibility of ensuring this accuracy resting on data providers. He urged all states to adopt the GCES portal and application to enhance credibility.

Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary of DA&FW, lauded the successful integration of advanced technologies across various agricultural sectors and called upon all states to fully embrace the GCES web portal and mobile application for improved outcomes and reliable estimations.

Arun Kumar, Senior Economic and Statistical Adviser at DA&FW, welcomed Secretary Ahuja and briefed the audience about the major ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing data accuracy and strengthening digital data governance in agriculture. He described these initiatives as transformative, poised to usher in a new era in agriculture by providing more precise and real-time monitoring of crop yields.

Ruchika Gupta, Adviser at DA&FW, provided insights into the key features of the GCES portal and mobile application. Developed by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, this technological marvel seeks to expand the reach, scope, and effectiveness of government actions in the context of agricultural development.

Automation of the GCES process promises timely reporting of crop statistics and data accuracy. Gupta also highlighted the agencies involved in conducting Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE) across different states, which include the Revenue Department, Agriculture Department, and Directorate of Economics & Statistics.

Ms. Sonia Sharma, Additional Statistical Adviser at DA&FW, presented an overview of the revamped GCES process using the web portal and mobile application, currently in the pilot stage. The pilot phase is scheduled to roll out in 12 states by the third week of October 2023.

Key Challenges Addressed by GCES Web Portal and Mobile Application:

1. Delay in Reporting: Historically, data collection, compilation, and yield estimation were entirely manual processes, leading to delays in reporting by states. The new process involves the collection of field data using GPS-enabled mobile applications, ensuring timely reporting of crop statistics.

2. Transparency: The use of GPS-enabled devices provides precise latitude and longitude coordinates for data collection points. This information links data to specific geographic locations, leaving no room for ambiguity or data manipulation.

Key Features of the GCES Web Portal and Mobile Application:

1. Comprehensive Information: The portal and app serve as comprehensive repositories of yield estimation, encompassing village-wise GCES plans, plot details where crop-cutting experiments are conducted, and post-harvest crop weights and drainage weights.

2. Geo-referencing: A pivotal feature of the mobile application is geo-referencing, allowing field workers to define the boundaries of experimental plots and upload photos of both the plot and the crops within it. This feature enhances data transparency and accuracy.