Impact of information communication technology on agriculture

1. Welcome
Welcome

2. Impact of Information communication
Technology on Agriculture

3. Introduction

4. • According to Balit (1996) least expensive input for rural
development is knowledge.
• Knowledge and information are essential for facilitating rural
development and bringing about social and economic development.
• Access to information and improved communication is a crucial
requirement for sustainable agricultural development.
Importance of communication and information

5. 5
Objectives
• To understand the concept of ICT.
• To know the important ICT initiatives in India.
• To review the research evidence of ICT
impact.
• To find out the obstacles for ICT adoption.

6. 6
Concept of ICT
• The concept of ICT was coined by Stevenson in 1997
• ICT is the term used to describe the tools and process to
access, retrieve, store, organise, manipulate, produce,
present and exchange information by electronic and other
automated means.
(Anonymous, 2004).

7. Agriculture - Market prices of inputs
and outputs
Ministry of
Agriculture
User
Information
Needs Assessment
Print
Single Media
Single User
Farmers
Feedback Feedback
Single Source
Single sector &
Single area

8. Mechanisms for Content Development and
Partnership arrangements with Users
Sources
Partners
Government institutions
Private
sector
International
Institutions
Diaspora
User
Information
Knowledge
Capacity
Needs Assessment
Print Radio Video Computer/Internet TV
Exhibitions
& Fairs
Multiple – Communication channels
Multiple Users
Rural Households Entrepreneurs Government Schools Hospitals
Feedback Feedback
Multiple-sources
-partners
Multiple-disciplines
-sectors, content
-partnerships
Academic Institutions
NGO’s Internet
Multi-national Cos

9. Agril. Development services that can be
provided using ICT are:
• Online information on education, training and
consultation.
• e-Commerce direct linkage between local
producers traders retailers and suppliers.
• Facilitation of interaction among researchers,
extension workers (knowledge) and farmers.
• Question and answer services (Kissan Calls)
where experts respond to queries on specialized
subjects.

10. Continue
• Up to date information to formers about package of
practices, market information, weather forecasting,
input supply, credit, availability etc.,
• Provision of early warning system about
disease/pest problems, rural development
programmes and crop insurances etc.,
• On line registration services

11. Continue
• Increased efficiency of co-operatives through
computer communication network.
• Tele-education to formers
• Websites established by Agril. Research
institutions on latest information to extension
workers.

12. Penetration of internet devices in India
Information and
technology devices
March, 2000
(million)
March, 2008
(million)
Installed base of PCs 4.3 30
No. of internet users 1.0 35
Fixed phones 26 125
TV sets 75 225
Cable TV 37 70
12
Source: Jange, sherikar and Angadi (2003)

13. Spread of ICT Projects in India across selected states
Sl.No State No. of Projects
1. Delhi 45
2. Karnataka 44
3. A.P 35
4. Tamil Nadu 29
5. Maharastra 28
6. Kerala 13
7. Gujarath 11
8. Rajastan 9
9. M.P 8
10. U.P 8
13
Source: Robert Katz and Sean.G (2004)

14. DACNET – An e-Governance Project
• Rs.18.39 crores implemented in 2001
• Executed by National Informatics Centre to facilitate Agriculture-on-line
• NIC’s focus is on increasing value in the DAC and enhancing its relationships with
its minimum agenda of e- governance:
Integration of Government Functions
Integrating Agri-Business Partners
Connecting Farmers
Empowering Employees,
Enhancing Government productivity and value and financial services
(www.dacnet.nic.in)

15. 15

16. 16
Information Flow from Field Units
(DACNET)
Central Databases
Census
Mach.
Marketing
Coop.
Credit
Crops Exten.
Fert
Hort
NDM
Plan-Co
PPQ
PP
RFS
SWC
TMOP
IC&Trade
Field
Offices
Directorates
databases
Planners /
Decision makers

17. AGRISNET
• AGRISNET – A NICNET Based Agricultural
Informatics & Communication to facilitate
Higher Sustainable Agricultural productivity and
Establish “Indian Agriculture on-line” in the
Country

18. AGRISNET components
• Internet/Intranet services
• E-Commerce
• National & International Video Conferencing
• Networking (LAN, WAN) using terrestrial, Satellite,
& Wireless Communication

19. 19
VISTARNET
Agricultural
Informatics
System
LISNET
PPIN
HORTNET
NDMNET
ARISNET
SEEDNET
DACNET AGMARKNET
AgriEs
ACIN
CROPSNET
FISHNET
FERTNET
APHNET
METNET
Portals of Agricultural informatics division of
NIC

20. Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC)
ATIC is a “single window delivery system” for different innovative and farm
worthy technologies
Established during the NATP (1998)
The participating institutions/ SAUs are expected to provide support in terms of
technological as well as methodological backstopping for implementation of
the Project

21. “Warna wired villages project”
• Initiated in 1996, actual implementation in 1998
• This project is a joint venture of GOI through NIC, government of
Maharashtra and Warna co-operative society
• The project area is a cluster of 70 villages consisting of 46 villages
from Kolhapur and 24 villages from Sangli districts

22. 22
 Centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the government of
Karnataka
 Year of implementation 2001
 Covers >20 million land records , >6.7 million land owners
 Bhoomi centers located in 177 taluka offices.
 NIC, Bangalore developed the Bhoomi land records
management software
Bhoomi

23. Raita Samparka Kendras(RSK)
•Implemented under Raitha Mitra Yojane since 2000-01
•Established one at each hobli (sub-blocks)levels
•Headed by an Agricultural Officer
supported by Assistant Agricultural Officers
and Agricultural Assistants

24. GYANDOOT.NET
• Implemented in January 1, 2000 in Dhar district
• Computers in 21 major centers in five Blocks of the district were connected
through an intranet network
• This intranet has been named Gyandoot
• These computers have been established in Gram Panchayats - Soochanalayas
• Each Soochanalaya caters to approximately15 Gram Panchayats and about 25 to
30 villages
(www.gyandoot.net)

25. 25
Rural E-seva
Web enabled rural kiosks termed e Seva centres at the mandal level
Working since 2003
Objectives
Helping the rural women as information leaders to bridge the gender divide
Providing people of the district various services
200 kiosks in West Godavari district
'One-stop-shop' for over 66 services

26. Karshaka Information Systems Services And
Networking (KISSAN)
• Integrated, multi-modal delivery of agricultural information system
• Citizen centric e-governance projects of the Department of Agriculture, Govt.
of Kerala
• Officially launched on 1st November 2003
• Project was conceived, developed and managed by the Indian Institute of
Information Technology and Management- Kerala
• Key feature of KISSAN is the integrated service delivery model
Objective
"Right Information to the Right Person(s) at the Right Time in the Right
Place(s) and in the Right Context“

27. 27
Akshaya Project
 Primary contact point for residents
 First district wide e-literacy project in India
 600 Akshaya Kendras in 600 villages
 Working since 2002
Major services provided includes
 Agriculture Information System
 Implementation of Health Data Acquisition System
 Government Services
 E-Education

28. 28
e-Choupal
 ITC-IBD initiative
 Launched in June 2000
4 million farmers
40,000 villages through
6500 kiosks across ten states
Offers the information, products and services needed by the
farmers

29. 29
Tata Kisan Kendras
Agro input retail outlets established by Tata Chemicals Limited In
association with Rallis
Agro inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation and
farm implements
Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab

30. 30
n-Logue has been set up to provide Voice and Internet services in
every under served village and small towns in India
Dedicated to evolving technically superior and cost-effective
connectivity solutions for Indian rural population
Established by Telecommunications and Computer Networks
Group of IIT, Madras
Chiraag Kendras

31. 31
“The information villages project: Pondicherry”
 Implemented by MSSRF in collaboration with International
Development Research Centre (IDRC)
 Working since 1998
 Important objective – Providing demand driven and day to day
relevant information
(www.mssrf.org)

32. 32
India Agriline
 Launched by EID Parry in early 2001
 Internet kiosks in 16 villages
 These kiosks were called Parry's Corners
 Parry’s corners - a one-stop shop
 Provide an end-to-end solution addressing the needs of the
farming community in South India
(www. Indiagriline.com)

33. 33
Drishtee.com
Investors and donors include The Boston Consulting Group and
Microsoft
Present in almost 5 states of the country with 310 operational
kiosks targeting a total population of about 300,000.
Drishtee is a software platform for enabling governance,
commerce, education, health and other information services

34. 34
Agriwatch.com
Initiative of Indian Agri-Business systems Ltd (IASL)
March 2000
has around 25,000 paid subscribers spread throughout nation
Facilities provided are market rates through the web, magazines,
newspapers and SMS services

35. 35
Tara Kendras
Launched in 2000 in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh
TARA haat has 41 centres
It’s an initiative promoted by Development Alternatives (DA)
TARA haat delivers their service through a network of
franchised community and business centres owned by individual
entrepreneurs

36. Initiatives of ICAR institutes
• Computer programme for identification of egg and
larvae of parasites.
• Gene bank Kiosk at NBPGR
• Information system of animal genetic resource of
India.
• Development database on PIMS for NATP
36

37. Contd…
• E-service from CRRI
• Software on agricultural pest information system
• Development of pulse database and information
system for UP
• Software for identification and management of
nematodes in India.
• Project on library improvement and networking
(LIN) under NATP

38. ICT–Initiatives of UAS, Bangalore
• Internet connectivity
• University website and developing content for Portals
• Video conferencing through VRCs/VKCs
• Mobile message service
• Information Touch screen Kiosks
• Community radio service
• Developing multimedia DVDs on important
crops/enterprises
38

39. Research Evidence
39

40. Information and Communication Technology in
Agricultural Development: A Comparative
Analysis of Three Projects from India
(Shaik N. Meera et. al ., 2004)
40

41. Process Impacts of ICT projects
41
Indicators Gyandoot Warna Ikisan
Number of kiosks 39 56 18
Number of farmers accessing ICT
services per week
2340 4250 810
Degree to which ICT used as
information gathering tool
Very rare
(once a month)
Rare
(once a
fortnight)
Rare
(once a day)
As information tool Very frequent
(once a day)
Very frequent
(once a day)
Very frequent
(once a day)

42. Percentage distribution of farmers based on Age, Landholding, Frequency of use and
Computer literacy
42
Variables Gyandoot Warna Ikisan Total sample
N= 240
Age
Young (less than 35 years) 45.00 35.00 32.50 37.50
Middle (35-50 years) 45.00 62.50 47.50 51.66
Old (more than 50 years) 10.00 2.50 20.00 10.83
Land holding
Marginal (less than 1 ha) 20.00 35.00 5.00 20.80
Small (1-2 ha) 50.00 42.50 50.00 46.70
Medium (2-5 ha) 25.00 22.50 42.50 29.16
Large (more than 5 ha) 5.00 0.00 2.50 3.33
Frequency in use
More than twice per week 0.00 5.00 0.00 1.66
Once a week 2.50 5.00 7.50 5.00
Once a fortnight 45.00 45.00 40.00 43.33
Once a month 52.50 45.00 52.50 50.00
Computer literacy
Computer literates 7.50 12.50 15.00 11.66
Computer illiterates 92.50 87.50 85.00 88.33

43. Information needs of farmers – Gyandoot project
43
Information needs Most
important
Important Less
important
Question answer services 67.50 32.50 0.00
Market information 90.00 7.50 2.50
Latest (best) package of practices 12.50 70.00 17.50
Disease/pest early warning system and
management
0.00 30.00 70.00
Weather forecasting 47.50 45.00 7.50
Information on rural development
programs
57.50 27.50 15.00
Directory and information crop
insurances
5.00 55.00 40.00
General agricultural news 2.50 67.50 30.00
Post harvest technology 10.00 70.00 20.00
Facilitation of land records/registration
online
82.50 17.50 0.00

44. Information needs of farmers – Warna project
44
Information needs Most
important
Important Less
important
Question answer services 87.50 12.50 0.00
Market information 50.00 45.00 5.00
Latest (best) package of practices 67.50 32.50 0.00
Disease/pest early warning system and
management
47.50 52.50 0.00
Weather forecasting 17.50 57.50 25.00
Information on rural development programs 17.50 37.50 45.00
Directory and information crop insurances 15.00 52.50 32.50
General agricultural news 12.50 47.50 40.00
Post harvest technology 30.00 30.00 40.00
Facilitation of land records/registration
online
75.00 25.00 0.00

45. Information needs of farmers – Ikisan project
45
Information needs Most
important
Important Less
important
Question answer services 60.00 40.00 0.00
Market information 35.00 50.00 15.00
Latest (best) package of practices 52.50 42.50 5.00
Disease/pest early warning system and
management
65.50 32.50 2.50
Input prices and availability 32.50 40.00 27.50
Weather forecasting 27.50 60.00 12.50
Information on rural development programs 65.50 30.00 5.00
Directory and information crop insurances 32.50 42.50 25.00
General agricultural news 5.00 57.50 37.50
Post harvest technology 45.00 50.00 5.00
Facilitation of land records/registration online 60.00 35.00 5.00

46. Integrating ICT with Multiple
Functions for Efficient Agriculture
Marketing.
Ashwini,(2008)
46

47. Perception of APMC secretaries about ICT
47
Sl.
no
Statements Strongly
agree
agree undecided S1trongly disagree
No % No % No % N
o
% No %
1 ICT integration
offers a great
opportunitay for
efficient agriculture
marketing.
17 48.57 16 45.71 2 5.71 0 0.00 0 0.00
2 ICT tools are best
suited for
disseminating
marketing
technologies.
13 37.14 20 57.14 2 5.71 0 0.00 0 0.00
3
ICT integration
with multiple
functions provides
need based and
timely information
13 37.14 20 57.14 2 5.71 0 0.00 0 0.00
(n=35)

48. 48
4
ICT integration
with multiple
functions and use in
daily life will leads to
self development of
organization.
11 31.42 18 51.42 4 11.42 2 5.71 0 0.00
5 ICT integration
means internet and
computer use
6 17.14 17 48.57 3 8.57 7 20.0
0
2 5.71
6 Integrating ICT with
agriculture
marketing lead to
more employment
generation
10 28.57 15 42.85 4 11.42 6 17.1
4
0 0.00
7 ICT means all
technologies that
facilitates processing
and transmission of
information by
electronic means
8 22.85 19 54.28 5 14.28 3 8.57 0 0.00

49. Extent of use of computers for multiple functions in
APMCs
49
Sl.
no
Multiple functions
for efficient
agriculture
marketing
Computers
used
Computers
not used
Frequency of usage
Regularly used Occasionally
used
No % No %
1 Processing 4 31 01 25.00 03 75.00
2 Grading 2 33 00 0.00 02 100.00
3 Packing 1 34 00 0.00 01 100.00
4 Transportation 1 34 01 100.00 00 0.00
5 Storage 0 35 00 0.00 00 0.00
6 Distribution 0 35 00 0.00 00 0.00
7 Standardization 0 0 00 0.00 00 0.00
(n=35)

50. Integrating ICT with Multiple
Functions for Agricultural
Development
Nagalakshmi, (2008)
50

51. Computer installation in RSK
Sl.no Computer installation Number Per cent
1 Computer installed and
facilitated to use computer in
RSK
5 14.70
2 Computer not installed and
not facilitated to use in RSK
29 85.30
51
(n=34)

52. Extent of use of computers for multiple functions in RSKs
Sl
.
n
o
Multiple
functions
ICT
use
d
ICT
not
used
Frequency of usage
Regularly used Occasionally used Not used
Number Percent Number Percent Number Perce
nt
1 Technical
advice
5 0 3 60.00 1 20.00 1 20.00
2 Inputs for
production
5 0 1 20.00 1 20.00 3 60.00
3 Credit support 0 5 0 00.00 0 00.00 5 100.0
4 Marketing
service
5 0 1 20.00 1 20.00 3 60.00
5 Specialized
service
5 0 2 40.00 0 00.00 3 60.00
6 Insurance for
crops/livestock
5 0 1 20.00 1 20.00 3 60.00
7 Subsidy for
programme
5 0 1 20.00 1 20.00 3 60.00
52
(n=34)

53. Perception of RSK Extension personnel about
ICT
(n=34)
Sl.
no
Statements Strongly
agree
agree undecided S1trongly disagree
No % No % No % No % No %
1 ICT integration with
multiple functions
offers a great
opportunity for
agriculture
development
14 41.18 16 47.05 3 8.83 1 2.94 0 0.00
2 ICT tools are best
suited for
technology transfer
11 32.25 18 52.94 3 8.83 1 2.94 1 2.94
3
ICT integration with
multiple functions
provides need based
and timely
information
19 55.88 14 41.18 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 2.94
53

54. Contd..
4
ICT integration with
multiple functions
and use in daily life
will leads to self
development of
farmers.
7 20.59 17 50.00 6 17.64 3 8.83 1 2.94
5 ICT integration
means internet and
computer use
1 2.94 20 58.83 6 17.64 3 8.83 4 11.76
6 Integration ICT with
agriculture lead to
more employment
generation
1 2.94 17 50.00 7 20.59 8 23.53 1 2.94
7 ICT means all
technologies that
facilitates processing
and transmission of
information by
electronic means
1 2.94 26 76.48 0 0.00 6 17.64 1 2.94
54

55. Impact and Implications of Village
Knowledge Centre - An Analysis.
Narsimha and Pushpa,(2009 )
55

56. Farmers view of different programme coverage on Television.
56
Sl.no Programmes Coverage time Preference
(Rank)
Benefits
Impression of
farmers and
reasons
(No) (%)
1
Agriculture and
allied programmes
Not convenient
(50)
(100) VI Informative
Insufficient
Coverage is less
2 Teleserials
Anytime
comfortable(50)
(100) I Recreation Routine
3 Movies
Any time
comfortable(50)
(100) II Recreation Routine
4
News
(Regional/National)
Every hour
(convenient)
(50)
(100) III Information
Good
Coverage is wide
5 Weather forecast
End of news
Very little
(50)
(100) V Precaution
Helps daily
activities and
precautionary
6
Agriculture
produce market
information
No coverage
(50)
(100) VII Information
No coverage
No separate slot
7
Others
(Discovery)
Anytime
(convenient)
(50)
(100) IV Information
Very impressive,
informative,
excellent
photography.
(n=50)

57. 57
Comparative analysis of farm related coverage on
electronic media TV and internet
Sl,
no
Items Coverage
time
(Seconds)
Repetition Computer internet
1 Farmers success stories 100 20 Nil
2 Agriculture demonstration
(soil sampling/ seed
treatment etc.)
20 03 Nil
3 Method of spraying agro
chemicals
05 05 Nil
4 Safe handling of
agrochemicals
0 - Nil
5 Fertilizer use 05 15 Nil
6 Organic farming methods 05 03 Nil
7 Bovine handling and
management
0 0 -Nil
8 Poultry management 0 - Nil
9 Fish culture and
management
0 - Nil
10 Compost and its
importance
0 - Nil
Total 135 46
(n=50)

58. Respondents opinion
58
ICT promotes basically
Consumer Durables.
Business & Employed class but
Ignore farming community
Organizations are using Fertile agricultural lands for
urbanization for creating infrastructure for urban requirement.
This leads to decline in natural resources and apathy towards
farming by younger generation

59. Information Communication Technology for
Sustainable Development
– a case study
(Eswarappa et. al.,2006)
59

60. • E-gram, an ICT programme is in progress at Davanagere Dt.
• Main aim to provide timely information to the farmers on
various aspects related to agriculture and other occupations
• The Gramina Mahithi Parishat a reputed NGO of the district
is solely responsible for this programme financially assisted by
NABARD and Bank of India.
• VKC has been established with fully equipped computers and
other accessories required for this purpose.
• Local unemployed graduate as facilitator.
60

61. `DACNET Project: An Impact Study
 98.1% of respondents feel that use of IT Tools has enhanced the Work Culture in the
Directorates/ Field Units.
 89.6% of the respondents feel that they are able to disseminate information about it’s
activities in a better way through Web Portals, email/Messaging, Publications in the
Electronic Form etc.
 64.6% agree that the access to information has improved. 62.8% agree that the
communication has become faster and 56.7% say that the overall working has improved.
 The satisfaction level is well above expectations and is at 91.5%.
Study by
Sethi

62. Obstacles for ICT adoption
• Lack of awareness
• Lack of access facilities
• Low ICT literacy
• Lack of packaged information products in local
language
• Lack of motivation

63. Use of ICTs provides Excellent opportunity to Agricultural Extension as a
discipline, as an Outreach agent and as a tool to improve the rural
society;
We must grab this opportunity with both hands and redefine our critical
importance to our ultimate clients : The Farming Community
AND HENCE
Let us COMMIT to work together for Farmers.

64. 64
Thank you
Thank you