- Now samples of agricultural inputs will be tested face‑less, contact‑less and transparently
- Significant agreement between Agriculture and Post Departments to provide farmers with quality seeds, fertilizers and pesticides
Jaipur, 23 October. In line with Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy against corruption, the Agriculture Department has taken a key step to protect farmers’ interests, ensure quality of agricultural inputs and promote transparency and accountability in the sector
On Friday, the Agriculture Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the PANT Agriculture Bhavan with the Rajasthan Government and the Indian Post Department (Rajasthan Division) to make the testing of seeds, fertilizers and pesticide chemicals in the state more impartial, confidential, transparent and technology‑based
Through this MoU, the process from collecting samples of agricultural inputs to delivering them to laboratories, testing and releasing results will be digital and systematic
The biggest feature of this initiative is that the inspector collecting the sample will not know which laboratory the sample will be sent to, and the laboratory will not know the identity of the dealer or manufacturer
Major improvement in the system for testing agricultural inputs
Currently, to ensure quality of agricultural inputs, the department collects samples at various levels and sends them to laboratories. This process involves multiple levels of human intervention in collection, packing, transport, laboratory allocation and result management. The new system will use the AgriQMS mobile app and the Indian Post Department’s Speed Post services to make the entire process safer, more reliable and transparent, effectively controlling possibilities of sample swapping, identity exposure, unnecessary delays and interference in testing
Inspectors will take samples digitally on site
Under the new system, the Agriculture Input Inspector will complete the sample collection process on site using the AgriQMS mobile app
During sampling, the GPS‑based geotagging of the collection site will be done and photos of the product, product details and required documents will be taken digitally. A QR code will be generated by the system for sample identification. The sample will also be kept in tamper‑proof packaging
This system will provide a digital record of sample collection and reduce the possibility of unauthorized changes or tampering with the sample later
Inspectors will not be able to send samples to a laboratory of their choice
The most important feature of the new system is the ‘system‑based random allocation’ of laboratories. The AgriQMS system will automatically determine which authorised laboratory will test the sample, eliminating the possibility of personal intervention in selecting a particular laboratory. The laboratory will also not be provided with the dealer or manufacturer’s identity related to the sample. This dual confidentiality system will strengthen the fairness and reliability of the testing process
Secure transport of samples via the Indian Post Department
Under the MoU, the Agriculture Department will send samples to the Post Department in Jaipur, where the samples’ identities will be masked. The Post Department will then transport the samples collected from across the state to authorised laboratories via Speed Post and Business Post Centre services. The Post Department will provide tracking of the samples
The MoU is for a period of three years and can be extended by mutual consent. The Indian Post Department will also provide the Agriculture Department with a Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) facility
Key benefits for farmers
The biggest benefit of this new system will be for farmers in the state. Agricultural production and farmers’ income largely depend on the availability of quality seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Using fake, substandard or inferior agricultural inputs can cause economic loss to farmers and also affect crop productivity
The new digital quality control system will help farmers obtain quality agricultural inputs. Fair testing will enable the identification of substandard products and more effective action against them
Farmers’ economic interests will be protected: effective control over the sale of substandard seeds, fertilizers and pesticides will help reduce the risk of crop loss
Trust in agricultural inputs will increase: the reliability of the testing process will strengthen farmers’ confidence in the Agriculture Department’s quality control system. Honest vendors and manufacturers will benefit: fair testing will give equal opportunities to traders who provide quality products
Improvement in agricultural productivity will be promoted: availability of quality agricultural inputs will strengthen efforts to increase crop yield and farmers’ income
Effective control over corruption and collusion
The new system will be a significant example of good governance in the quality control of agricultural inputs. The face‑less and contact‑less system will reduce unnecessary personal contact and influence during sample collection, laboratory allocation and testing. System‑based laboratory allocation will control the possibility of sending a particular sample to a desired laboratory. Digital signatures, geotagging, QR codes and tamper‑proof packaging will increase authenticity of sample collection
Online test results and digital records will help ensure accountability. Thus, the new system not only improves sample transport but also provides a comprehensive administrative reform to make the entire quality control process more transparent, fair and accountable. All parties will benefit from the established process of fair testing and retesting
Promotion of digital governance and ease of doing business
Digital records and online testing will increase administrative efficiency and improve monitoring of quality control activities. Honest manufacturers and vendors of agricultural inputs will benefit from a transparent and fair testing system. This initiative will be a significant step in promoting digital governance, good governance and ease of doing business in Rajasthan
Protecting farmers’ interests is the state government’s top priority – Agriculture Commissioner
On this occasion, Agriculture Commissioner Nareesh Kumar Goyal said the state government is committed to providing farmers in the state with quality and certified seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. He said the quality of agricultural inputs is directly related to farmers’ crops, production costs, productivity and income. Therefore, a fair and reliable quality control system is essential
Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirori Lal Meena said the aim is not just to test samples of agricultural inputs but to develop a transparent and reliable system where there is minimal scope for improper interference at any level. Through technology, we want to ensure the testing process is fair, farmers’ interests are protected and honest traders who provide quality inputs are also protected
Indian Post Department assures secure and timely services
On this occasion, Assistant Post Master General (Parcel & Logistics) Subhash Chandra Meena of the Indian Post Department gave information about the work to be done by the Post Department via the AgriQMS app. He assured the necessary cooperation and services from the Post Department to safely and timely deliver agricultural input samples to authorised laboratories
At the signing of the MoU, all additional directors, joint directors and officers and staff of the Agriculture Commissioner’s office were present. From the Indian Post Department, Rajesh Parik, Rohit Jain and Nafis Khan were also present
Rajasthan Government’s initiative will make the quality control system for agricultural inputs technology‑based, transparent, fair and farmer‑centric, and will strengthen good governance and administrative accountability in the sector
Nemi Chand/Brijesh