India’s agricultural sector is in the midst of a profound transformation, driven by new technologies, policy shifts, and a changing climate. Yet, for millions of small and marginal farmers, the benefits of this digital transition remain uneven, fragmented, and inaccessible. While agri-tech startups and government portals promise innovation, the lack of a unified and inclusive approach has created a complex, often overwhelming digital landscape for those working the land. This disparity threatens to widen the gap between digital potential and rural realities.
This white paper proposes the creation of a Digital Public Stack for Farmers (DPSF), a modular, open-source, and interoperable digital infrastructure designed specifically to address the needs of India’s farmers. The DPSF will integrate key data layers and services such as land records, soil health, credit access, agronomic inputs, insurance, and market prices into a cohesive digital ecosystem that can be accessed and navigated with ease, even by those with limited digital literacy.
The core objective of the DPSF is to empower the farmer as a central actor in the digital economy. Unlike top-down systems that treat farmers as beneficiaries, this platform will reframe them as informed participants, capable of making decisions about inputs, finances, and markets based on real-time, localized information. By simplifying access and enabling consent-based data sharing, the DPSF restores agency, transparency, and trust in digital service delivery.
Importantly, the stack will anchor itself within India’s existing public digital infrastructure, such as Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and Jan Dhan, while allowing seamless collaboration with private service providers, cooperatives, and FPOs. This ensures broad interoperability and opens the door for scalable innovation, customized solutions, and inclusive partnerships.
Vastuta, as a platform for rural justice and economic transformation, will play a catalytic role in convening stakeholders, piloting the model in target districts, and advocating for farmer-centric policy reforms. Through research, collaboration, and grassroots engagement, Vastuta will help ensure that DPSF remains people-first, transparent, and equitable in both design and governance.
Ultimately, the DPSF is not just a technical intervention, it is a strategic and ethical imperative to build a future where India’s farmers are not left behind, but lead the way in shaping a resilient, prosperous, and digitally inclusive rural economy.
