The Government of West Bengal introduced a digital tool called Matir Katha to help farmers. This project is led by the West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Limited (WEBEL), and was launched by the State’s Chief Minister Smt. Mamata Banerjee on 14 February 2014 during the Mati Utsav in Panagarh. It is the first tool of its kind in India to use ICT (Information and Communication Technology) for agriculture.

How Matir Katha Helps Farmers

The project connects farmers with local agricultural workers at the Block and Panchayat levels. Through this, farmers get reliable information on topics like:

• Scientific farming methods
• Pest and disease control
• Seed production
• Market prices and varieties
• Water harvesting and rural livelihood options

Farmers can also call a toll-free number anytime to get assistance. The goal is to increase agricultural productivity in the state and help farmers earn better prices for their crops.

Benefits for Farmers and Officials

•  Quick Problem Solving:
  • Field workers can report crop issues through their phones or tablets.
  • Instant answers are sent back, even as voice calls, helping farmers quickly.
• Soil Health Cards:
  • Farmers receive soil health cards with advice on improving soil quality.
  • West Bengal is the first state to ensure 100% location accuracy for these cards using GPS.
• Easy Licensing:
  • All agriculture-related licenses, such as those for seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides, are issued online from a single platform.
• Online Subsidy Applications:
• Farmers receive soil health cards with advice on improving soil quality.
• Knowledge Sharing:
  • Everyone involved in agriculture can access updates from across the state to learn and contribute.
• Data Analysis:
  • Information collected from the field is used to create reports for government officials to make better decisions.

Also Read :- Leading the Way from Governance to Growth

Technology in Action

Each agricultural worker (Krishi Prajukti Sahayak or KPS) has a tablet. These tablets allow them to:

• Share farmer problems directly with experts.
• Use GPS to pinpoint the exact location of an issue.
• Send photos of crops to specialists for advice.
• Communicate and collaborate with other workers.

This ensures farmers get accurate and fast solutions. The GPS also tracks whether the workers are in the field, improving accountability.

Matir Katha brings farmers, experts, and technology together, making farming more productive and problem-solving faster. It simplifies processes and creates a system of fairness and transparency in West Bengal’s agriculture sector.

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