Empowering Farmers: ICAR and Amazon Kisan Join Forces

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), headquartered in New Delhi, has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amazon Kisan, an initiative by Amazon. This collaboration aims to empower farmers by combining the expertise of ICAR with the vast network and resources of Amazon Kisan. Through this partnership, the organizations seek to guide farmers in adopting scientific cultivation practices for various crops to achieve optimum yield and income.

What is Amazon Kisan?

Amazon Kisan store caters specifically to farmers. This online platform ensures the availability of agri-inputs like seeds, farm tools, and accessories at competitive prices, conveniently delivered right to the buyers' doorstep. The esteemed launch of the Amazon Kisan store was officiated by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.

Key benefits of ICAR's technological support to farmers 

Under the MoU, ICAR will provide technological support to farmers through Amazon's extensive network. This support is expected to significantly improve farmers' livelihoods and enhance crop yields. By leveraging the resources and reach of Amazon Kisan, the partnership aims to ensure access to high-quality fresh produce for consumers across India, including through the Amazon Fresh platform.

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of ICAR, emphasized the importance of secondary agriculture in securing better remuneration for farmers. He highlighted the crucial role of critical inputs in agriculture and the significance of season-based crop plans. 

Dr. Pathak further emphasized that ICAR will collaborate with Amazon to incorporate advanced technologies, enhance capacity building, and facilitate the transfer of new knowledge to farmers.

The collaboration between ICAR and Amazon Kisan stems from the success of a pilot project conducted in Pune. The positive outcomes and the adoption of precise agricultural practices resulting from extensive research have prompted the partners to expand their collaboration further. The Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), agricultural science centers under ICAR, will play a vital role in this expanded partnership. Leveraging their technological base and expertise, KVKs will extend their support to a broader group of farmers through technology transfer and cacapacity-buildingrograms.

ICAR-Amazon Kisan to strengthening agricultural remuneration

ICAR and Amazon will collaborate on various farmer engagement programs at Krishi Vigyan Kendras. These initiatives will include demonstrations, trials, and capacity-building programs designed to enhance farming practices and improve farm profitability. Moreover, Amazon will provide training support to farmers and assist them in marketing their produce through its online platform. This will enable farmers to establish direct connections with consumers, expanding their market reach and ensuring better returns for their efforts.

The partnership between ICAR and Amazon Kisan holds great promise for transforming the agricultural landscape in India. By combining ICAR's scientific expertise with Amazon's vast resources and reach, the collaboration aims to empower farmers, improve livelihoods, and boost crop yields. Through the adoption of advanced technologies, capacity-building programs, and improved access to markets, this partnership is set to revolutionize farming practices and enhance the profitability of Indian farmers.