THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala’s agriculture department is set to launch Ashraya Centres, a pioneering initiative aimed at delivering digital agricultural services to farmers across the state. Modelled after the successful Akshaya Centres, which provide essential digital services to the general public, these Ashraya Centres will cater exclusively to the agricultural community. The state government has officially issued an order to implement the project.
Currently, farmers in Kerala rely on a mobile application and a web portal for accessing digital services related to agriculture. However, as part of a broader hundred-day programme, the government has recognized the need for a more accessible and comprehensive solution. The Ashraya Centres will enable farmers to access all essential digital services in one location, ensuring faster and more efficient service delivery. Farmers will be charged a nominal fee comparable to that of Akshaya Centres for utilizing these services.
The establishment of Ashraya Centres will involve the collaboration of various entities, including farmers’ groups, Krishisree Centres, agro service centres, and Karshika Karma Sena. This approach ensures a community-driven framework for supporting smaller and marginal farmers. To begin with, the pilot phase of the project will focus on regions predominantly inhabited by small-scale farmers, with the intent to refine the model before statewide expansion.
This initiative marks a significant step toward modernizing agricultural support systems in Kerala, enhancing farmers’ access to resources and empowering them with technology. By streamlining digital services under one roof, the Ashraya Centres aim to revolutionize how farmers interact with agricultural departments and avail themselves of government benefits. This farmer-centric innovation could potentially set a precedent for other states to emulate, strengthening India’s agricultural backbone.
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The launch of Ashraya Centres underscores the Kerala government’s commitment to harnessing technology for the welfare of its farming community, making agriculture more resilient and sustainable in the face of modern challenges.