1917iTEAMS declared winner at the 4 th Digital Transformation Awards 2021 (Digital Transformation in Agriculture)
1917iTEAMS, a project of the Department of
Agriculture, Government of Meghalaya has been conferred the winner’s title for ‘Digital
Transformation in Agriculture’ at the recently concluded 4th
Digital Transformation Awards 2021 (Recognising Excellence in e-Governance)
held virtually on the 18th November 2021 in recognition for its pioneering
efforts and commitment to make
India truly a digital nation in the agricultural space.
The brainchild of Shri. P. Sampath
Kumar, IAS, Ex- Commissioner & Secretary, Agriculture, 1917-Integrated
Technology Enabled Agri-Management System (1917iTEAMS) is an innovative, farmer
centric, market oriented, cloud-based facilitation service available to all the
farmers of Meghalaya. It came
into existence in December 2017 with the mandate of Connecting Farmers to
Markets through affordable logistics solutions, market connect and agro
advisories. With more than 88,000 registered farmers, 600+ registered buyers,
400+ Farmer Groups and 18 Agri Response Vehicles operating throughout the
state, 1917iTEAMS provides free of cost services to the primary sector through
a toll free number – 1917, a comprehensive database, fleet management system,
highly trained manpower and a dedicated IVRS system. The main backbone of the
organization is a system specially developed and hosted by Digital India
Corporation (DIC) of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology,
Government of India.
1917iTEAMS has been working tirelessly to connect
farmers with multiple buyers from the state, region, country and abroad which
has led to increasing exports of some of the state’s unique produce to overseas
markets. It’s Agri Response Vehicles (ARVs) have been utilized by entire
villages, farmers, buyers, groups, social organizations etc and has enabled produce
from all corners of the state to reach more remunerative markets over time.
1917iTEAMS is fully supported by the department of Agriculture
& Farmers’ Welfare and works very closely and in tandem with the line
departments of Animal Husbandry &
Veterinary, Fisheries, Planning, Finance, Law, Information Technology, Water
Resources, Dairy, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the
Central Agriculture University (CAU), MBDA and State e-Governance Mission Team
(S.e.M.T) which has brought various Government’s Services available and closer
to the farmers through one phone call. Its association with the Meghalaya
Institute of Entrepreneurship (MIE) as the founding PMU has led to a very
strong relationship with various agripreneurs of the state and they in turn
have benefited greatly by being able to expand their sourcing of agriculture
produce from throughout the state of Meghalaya especially during the pandemic
lockdowns.
During 2020, 1917iTEAMS mobilized and increased its
vehicle fleet by adding commercial market vehicles to meet the demand for
transportation during the lockdowns. Through these ARVs, 1917iTEAMS was able to
quickly evacuate agricultural produce and help mitigate farmers’ distress at
that point of time. The registered buyers of 1917iTEAMS also played a big part
in ensuring that fresh farmer’s produce were made available to retail and
wholesale consumers during the lockdown. Through its close association with NARI
Fresh of the East Khasi Hills District Cooperative Milk Union Ltd, 1917iTEAMS organized
and facilitated the delivery of the Chief Minister’s Quarantine Care Package to
22,375 families under quarantine. During the 2021 lockdowns, 1917iTEAMS
facilitated the emergence of Home Delivery Agencies operating
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