Aadhaar Enabled Fertilizer Distribution System

Aadhaar enabled fertilizer distribution system is a system that involves the distribution of exact fertilizer quantities to farmers as per their extent of landholding and soil fertility status. It is a change management initiative which has the potential to streamline subsidies and ensure that it reaches to actual beneficiaries. It also helps in releasing the subsidies to fertilizer companies based on the sales made. The objective is to effectively manage the distribution of fertilizers across the value chain right from manufacturers to the farmers and to ensure the distribution of fertilizers as per the biometric authentication of farmers. A Point of Sale (PoS) device is used to derive details of land and soil health card results from the government portal. Based on this data, the exact fertilizer quantity will be used for each crop, and it will reduce excess use of fertilizers.

Features of AeFDS

The main feature of the program is that it combines the landholding details of a farmer with the soil analysis report. It will help optimize the use of fertilizers as per the actual requirement.
The real beneficiaries are the farmers who receive their due entitlement of fertilizers without any difficulty.
The program can be easily implemented and is scalable.
It helps improve the quality of the crop in the country.

Objectives of AeFDS

Ensures the correct distribution of fertilizers through Aadhaar.
Deliver the right fertilizer quantity crop-wise to farmers as per their Soil Health Cards.
To monitor the distribution of fertilizers on the value chain from the manufacturers to the farmers.
Streamline the distribution of fertilizers and bring about a reduction in hoardings and malpractices.
Allow the farmers to enjoy a direct subsidy in the long run.

How it differs from others?

AeFDS is slightly different from other direct benefit schemes. The biggest difference lies in the procedure of identification of fertilizers needed for a particular piece of land. AeFDS uses information relevant to the soil health and land, based on the same, an appropriate amount of fertilizer will be calculated. It will aid the farmer in buying the right quantity. Further, there are a number of fertilizers available through AeFDS, and it makes the process of authentication quick and convenient for the farmer.

Applicability

The pilot project has been implemented in 16 districts, as mentioned below.

Kishanganj
Maldah
Hoshangabad
Karnal
Kurukshetra
Krishna
West Godavari
Nasik
Una
Kannur
Rangareddy
Tumkur
Raigarh
Hooghly
Pali
Chhota Udaipur

Procedure to Avail AeFDS

AeFDS is a Biometrically Authenticated physical update. The fertilizers will be provided on the bases of biometric authentication. The farmer will have to authenticate his identity through Aadhaar at the retail outlet. Every retailer will have an Aadhaar enabled PoS device in order to authenticate the farmer. The device will retrieve information from UIDAI service, SHC service and Webland server and the transaction will then be made. As per the pre-pilot model, the machines provided to retailers gathered information about the land health and soil using the Aadhaar number. It then recommended a fertilizer quantity, and this was displayed on the PoS machine. The farmer is then free to buy whatever quantity he desires. It ensures that the farmer does not use excess fertilizer on the crop. It will eventually improve the quality of crop. There is a no denial policy where the farmers are not denied the sale of fertilizer either due to failure to produce an Aadhaar Card or due to failure in the authentication process.