Digital Agri-Stack 2.0: Bridging the Credit Gap for Tenant Farmers

This move is particularly critical in addressing the 'Feminization of Agriculture.' As men increasingly migrate to urban areas for non-farm work, women have become the primary workforce in rural fields. However, since land titles are predominantly held by men, women farmers often remain 'invisible' to the banking and insurance sectors. The Verified Tenant Module provides a mechanism to recognize these women as legitimate farmers, ensuring they receive direct benefit transfers (DBT) and credit. From a governance perspective, Agri-Stack 2.0 enhances transparency and reduces leakages. It enables 'targeted subsidy delivery' by ensuring that benefits like fertilizer subsidies or PM-KISAN reach the person actually tilling the soil. Furthermore, the data generated through this stack will provide policymakers with granular insights into cropping patterns and regional credit requirements, allowing for more evidence-based interventions. UPSC Relevance: This topic is highly relevant for GS Paper III under 'e-technology in the aid of farmers' and 'land reforms,' as it addresses the long-standing issue of tenancy formalization. It also serves as a prime example for GS Paper II regarding 'government interventions' and GS Paper I concerning the 'role of women' in the economy. Aspirants can use this as a case study for how Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) can solve structural issues in the primary sector.