Gujarat Forms Data Panel to Shield Farmers' Info Under New Law

Gujarat sets up agriculture data panel to strengthen security of farmers' information

Gandhinagar, July 9

The new committee will oversee the scientific, secure and transparent management of data held by the Agriculture Department, its boards, corporations and agricultural universities.

The government said the move is intended to ensure that farmers' personal, financial and agriculture-related information is used only in accordance with the law and with their consent.

The committee will be headed by the Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary or Secretary of the Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Cooperation Department.

Its members will include the Departmental Data Officer, Member Secretary, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Deputy Director (IT), ICT Officer, Legal Officer, IT expert, and the heads of the department's boards, corporations, universities and subordinate offices.

According to the government, all datasets maintained by the department will be classified into five categories: Open, Shareable, Restricted, Sensitive and Negative List.

Public information such as weather updates, agricultural techniques and market prices will be made more accessible, while farmers' personal details, banking information and other private data will be placed in the Sensitive category and protected through stricter safeguards.

The state government said the committee will ensure that the collection, processing and use of farmers' data complies with the DPDP Act and other applicable government regulations.

It will also oversee consent management by maintaining a secure, auditable and traceable record of farmers' consent before their data is used. Any violation of consent-related provisions will be reported immediately to the State Data Authority.

The committee has also been tasked with monitoring cybersecurity incidents and data breaches involving farmers' information. In the event of a breach, the matter will be reported promptly to the State Chief Data Officer and other competent authorities to take immediate action.

The government said the availability of secure and authenticated data is expected to support research, innovation and evidence-based policymaking in the agriculture sector.

"Improved data governance would help make the delivery of agricultural subsidies, crop insurance, natural disaster relief and other government assistance faster, more transparent and more accurate, while ensuring that benefits reach eligible farmers directly," officials said.

Officials said the new framework is also expected to strengthen oversight against unauthorised access, data misuse and cyber threats while improving the quality of data used to formulate future agricultural policies and farmer welfare schemes.

— IANS