Manoj Ahuja launches GCES mobile app, web portal to revolutionize farming practices

NEW DELHI, 23 September 2023: In a significant stride towards harnessing digital technology for the greater good, Manoj Ahuja, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), unveiled recently a transformative mobile application and web portal for the General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES).

This pioneering initiative, aligned with the Prime Minister's vision, is poised to reshape farming practices nationwide, ushering in a new era of efficiency and precision in agriculture.

Ahuja underscored the critical importance of real-time estimates and technology in modern agriculture. Stressing the significance of accurate data, he emphasized that the responsibility for data integrity rests not only with providers but also with the entire ecosystem. Therefore, he called upon all states to embrace the GCES portal and application to enhance credibility.

In support of this visionary endeavor, Shri. Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary at DA&FW, highlighted the successful integration of advanced technologies across various agricultural sectors. He urged states to fully adopt the GCES web portal and mobile application to achieve superior outcomes and ensure dependable estimation.

Arun Kumar, Senior Economic and Statistical Adviser, extended a warm welcome to Secretary Ahuja and provided insights into the major initiatives currently underway at DA&FW. These initiatives are geared towards enhancing data accuracy and advancing digital data governance in agriculture. He emphasized that these momentous efforts are set to revolutionize the agricultural sector by enabling more precise and real-time monitoring of crop yields.

Mrs Ruchika Gupta, Adviser at DA&FW, shared the salient features of the GCES portal and mobile application. Developed by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, this technology leverages the power of automation to broaden the reach, scope, and impact of government actions in the development sphere. The automation of the GCES process guarantees timely reporting of crop statistics and data accuracy. Adviser Gupta also highlighted the key agencies involved in conducting Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE) in different states, including the Revenue Department, Agriculture Department, and Directorate of Economics & Statistics.

Mrs Sonia Sharma, Additional Statistical Adviser at DA&FW, unveiled the revamped process flow of GCES through the web portal and mobile application. Currently in the pilot stage, these innovative tools are scheduled for rollout 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 have been manual processes, leading to reporting delays by states. The new process streamlines data collection through a GPS-enabled mobile application, ensuring timely reporting of crop statistics.

2. Transparency: GPS-enabled devices provide precise latitude and longitude coordinates for data collection points, eliminating ambiguity or data manipulation regarding collection locations.

Key Features of the GCES Web Portal and Mobile Application

1. Comprehensive Information: The portal and app serve as comprehensive repositories of yield estimation, including village-wise GCES plans, plot details, crop cutting experiments, post-harvesting crop weights, and crop damage assessments.

2. Geo-referencing: The mobile application's geo-referencing feature empowers primary workers to delineate experimental plot boundaries and upload photos of both plots and crops, ensuring transparency and data accuracy.

With the launch of the GCES mobile app and web portal, India's agriculture sector is on the cusp of a transformative journey towards greater efficiency, precision, and transparency in crop estimation and monitoring. This revolutionary step aligns perfectly with the nation's commitment to leveraging digital technology for social and economic growth.