Bihar crop survey app sends 45,000 farmers on an unplanned trip to the Indian Ocean

A technical issue in Bihar's digital crop survey app caused an error in mapping farmland in Bhojpur district, where agricultural plots were incorrectly shown to be located in the Indian Ocean. This occurred during the state-wide Digital Crop Survey (DCS), which is designed to collect detailed data about agricultural land and the crops sown across Bihar. The error affected farmland in Jangal Mahal panchayat within Jagdishpur block, where certain plots were displayed around 6,500 km away from their actual locations.

The glitch was traced to the settings of the smartphones used by the personnel conducting the survey. District Agriculture Officer (DAO), Shatrughan Shahu, confirmed that the issue resulted from incorrect phone settings, which distorted the GPS coordinates of the farmland. The problem was quickly addressed by updating the phone settings, and the error was resolved. The survey continued without further complications.

The DCS initiative, which involves over 300 officials, is part of a larger project by the Bihar Agriculture Department to create a comprehensive and accurate database of agricultural plots across the state. So far, the survey has collected data on 1.15 lakh agricultural plots, providing essential information on the types of crops sown in various regions during different agricultural seasons. This data is critical for tracking crop production patterns and trends at a micro level.

The digital crop survey is also integral to Bihar’s efforts to improve agricultural policy and resource management. The data collected will help in better crop marketing, ensuring fair prices for farmers, and providing crop insurance in case of natural disasters such as floods or droughts. Additionally, the database will aid in framing new policies and implementing more effective agricultural strategies at the state level.

The initiative is a key component of the Bihar government's efforts to digitize agricultural records and improve data accessibility for both farmers and government agencies. This will enhance decision-making and planning for the state's agricultural development, helping to address challenges like climate change, crop loss, and market volatility.