PoCRA - DBT 1.9.6

The Department of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra, in collaboration with the World Bank, has introduced the Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivani Prakalp, commonly referred to as the Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture (PoCRA). This initiative is designed to foster climate-resilient agricultural practices within the state of Maharashtra, targeting a significant number of villages across 15 districts.

PoCRA aims to improve climate resilience and economic viability for approximately 700,000 small farmers (cultivating 1-2 hectares) and 1 million marginal farmers (cultivating less than 1 hectare) spread over 5,000 villages that are particularly affected by drought and salinity issues. The project has an ambitious financial framework, supported by a total budget of Rs. 6000 crores in partnership with the World Bank.

The primary objective of the Project Development Objective (PDO) is to enhance both climate resilience and profitability within smallholder farming systems located in the designated districts of Maharashtra.

A key feature of the initiative is the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) application, which streamlines the process for beneficiaries by serving as a unified platform for registration and application for various activities. This application allows farmers to receive financial assistance directly in their bank accounts through multiple stages of sanctioning by PoCRA officials.

To facilitate user access, beneficiaries can log into their accounts using their Aadhaar credentials via OTP or biometric authentication, enabling them to apply for available financial assistance activities with greater ease.