The gradual digital transformation taking place in the agricultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir reflects a thoughtful alignment of technology with grassroots needs. By 2023, smartphone usage among farmers in the Union Territory had crossed 70 percent, as revealed during the Kisan Sampark Abhiyan survey. Digital connectivity has clearly expanded, yet its potential for structured learning and skill enhancement remains largely underutilized. Recognizing this gap, the J&K Administration took a measured and forward-looking step to reposition smartphones from being simple communication devices into meaningful tools for agricultural education.
This vision led to the launch of Daksh Kisan, a dedicated learning management system designed exclusively for farmers. Within a short span of two years, the initiative has emerged as a pioneering digital capacity-building platform, widely regarded as the first of its kind in India and possibly in Asia. Rather than relying solely on traditional extension practices, Daksh Kisan introduced a structured, measurable, and farmer-centric approach to learning, embedded within a digital ecosystem tailored to local realities. The platform was developed by the Agriculture Production Department in collaboration with SKUAST Jammu and SKUAST Kashmir, with careful attention to usability, low-bandwidth accessibility, and relevance to local farming systems. A central strength of Daksh Kisan lies in its agro-climatic customization. Courses are designed to address the specific needs of different regions, covering temperate horticulture, subtropical agriculture, and diverse livestock systems. This ensures that the knowledge imparted is practical, location-specific, and immediately applicable. Language inclusivity has played a vital role in the platform’s acceptance. Course content is available in Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi, and Urdu, enabling farmers from varied linguistic backgrounds to engage comfortably with digital learning. This approach has been particularly significant for first-time digital learners, helping to build confidence and sustained participation. At present, Daksh Kisan offers 171 structured courses across agriculture and allied sectors, including 97 courses in agriculture, 28 in horticulture, and 46 in livestock. In addition, the platform provides cross-sectoral modules on integrated pest management, post-harvest practices, value addition, agribusiness development, and farm economics. Courses follow a modular format, combining expert video lectures, practical demonstration videos, and short assessments to evaluate learning outcomes. Farmers can also digitally interact with subject experts, extending mentorship and guidance beyond physical classrooms. The response from the farming community has been encouraging. Official data indicates that over 3.47 lakh farmers have registered on the platform, with 2.59 lakh enrolling in courses. Total course enrollments have exceeded 4.15 lakh, reflecting farmers’ willingness to pursue multiple courses to enhance and diversify their skills. Completion rates remain strong, with around 2.98 lakh courses completed and more than 2.11 lakh farmers successfully clearing assessments, indicating meaningful engagement rather than casual participation. Daksh Kisan’s relevance has extended beyond Jammu and Kashmir. Verification calls conducted through associated call centres revealed enrollments from agricultural faculty, agri-preneurs, and farmers in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Rajasthan. This wider participation highlights the platform’s academic credibility and its potential scalability as a national model for digital agricultural education. The initiative complements existing extension mechanisms by offering round-the-clock, on-demand learning that reinforces field-level interventions. At a time when agriculture faces increasing challenges from climate change, fluctuating markets, and rising input costs, Daksh Kisan equips farmers with scientific knowledge and improved decision-making capacity. Its inclusion of business and financial planning modules further encourages a gradual shift from subsistence farming towards enterprise-oriented agriculture.
Officials associated with the initiative view Daksh Kisan as an evolving platform. With additional courses under development and growing interest from outside the region, it is steadily positioning itself as a reference point for digital farmer education. The experience demonstrates that when technology is combined with inclusivity, local relevance, and institutional support, digital learning can take firm root in the fields and contribute meaningfully to the future of agriculture.