A case for enhancing trust and user experiences of Direct Benefit Transfers in the agricultural sector through farmer collectives and responsive governance.

With the proliferation of welfare delivery through direct cash transfers1, the digitization of claim-making, and the transfer of many public services online, it is vital to ensure that these new systems do not exacerbate existing inequalities, hamper access to marginalized groups and escape accountability as a result of being online.

This brief is based on research on cash transfers in a primarily agricultural Panchayat in Kerala, which we use to draw out essentials for designing a cash transfer architecture that works for the people. Through this, we seek to demonstrate how governments can build systems that foster the trust of citizens by being structured around visibility of processes amongst actors, continuous engagement of civil society, accountability, and accessibility.

Report available for download here.