Information Technology and Agriculture.pdf

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Dr. U. Ramesh
Unit IV Information Technology and Agriculture (18 Hours)
Role of Information Technology and telecommunication in marketing of agricultural
commodities – Weather Forecasting- electronic auctions- Digital Mandi -Kisan Call Centres -
e- Choupal- Use of Geographic Information System and Global Positioning System- Remote
Sensing and Drones.
ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATION IN
MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES:
Technology has a major role in farming and agriculture practices; and with the advent of
digital technology, the scope has widened. Innovation in agriculture is leading an evolution in
agricultural practices, thereby reducing losses and increasing efficiency. This is positively
impacting farmers. The use of digital and analytic tools is driving continuous improvement in
agriculture, and the trend is here to stay, resulting in improving crop yields and helping to
increase the income of the farming community.
Information technology is playing an important and vital role in agricultural production and
marketing. Information technology allows farmers to save time on orders and delivery and
getting feedback. In the existing competition, there is a need to rapidly attract new customers
as well as retain existing customers. In order to take the real status of agricultural production
and marketing there is an urgent need to develop the following items.
1. Improved productivity
Farmers need information on latest varieties, changing weather patterns, crop production
techniques and improved agronomic practices for them to produce. Information technology
plays a vital role in ensuring the farmers get access to this information, regardless of their
agro ecological location. Through IT, Farmers in Africa are able to read what farmers in other
areas of the globe are doing. Through this gained knowledge, the farmers improve their
farming skills thus improved farming which eventually result to high yields.
2. Community involvement

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There are several programs which are made possible by IT applications, and community
involvement in agriculture can be increased as well. When a community adopts modern
methods for agriculture, the production of local goods can be increased. There are some
places where people greatly benefit from the land and their resources for agriculture, and with
IT, there can be improved union in local farmers which can lead to their community’s overall
improved production that may lead to better income for everyone involved.
3. Good post-Harvest practices and Value addition of farm produce
Most farmers after good crop husbandry, get a lot of crop yields after harvesting, However,
few months later they incure losses due to poor storage. But this does not happen in some
Parts of the globe, especially the developed countries which have good storage structures.
Information technology has provided the avenue where farmers are able to see and learn
about latest post-harvest handling and storage techniques used in other countries, thus they
learn and also utilize them, this helps to reduce the losses of their crops.
4. Improved decision making by the farmer
Through the use of information technology, It is easier to develop farm records and follow up
on the daily events of the farm. This will enable the farmer to make the correct decisions
when it comes to types of fertilizers’ to be used, the variety of seeds to be planted, when to
market his/her produce and how to employ the best farming techniques.
5. Improved efficiency and service delivery at the farm
Crop data, Animal data or any other farm data can be generated and kept much easier with
the use of information technology, than manual processes. Information technology has also
been utilized in automated farm machines which are scheduled to carry out activities such as
irrigation or spraying even in the absence of the farmer, thus it makes service delivery very
effective.
6. Weather forecasting and climate smart farming
The climate and weather play a vital role in farming. With the use of IT infrastructure,
farmers are able to receive weather forecasts, and therefore they plan when to irrigate, or

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when to plant, and how much water should be used for irrigation. This plays a vital role in the
agricultural production.
7. Remote sensing and GPS location
This are very key in farming. The location of a farm is very important, as it dictates the
varieties of seed to be used, the amount of irrigation to be used and above all the type of crop
to be planted. With the use of IT, It is easier to locate a farm, even if it is miles away. This is
made possible by the use of Information technology through the global positioning system
(G.P.S )Which hs also enabled professionals in the agricultural field to be able to classify
different areas into different agro-ecological zones
Conclusion.
It can therefore be concluded that information technology is an integral part of farming, thus
it should be embraced fully, we need to move away from the local and traditional way of
farming.IT integrated farming has the possibility to give higher yields as compared to the
traditional farming we are used to.
ROLE OF WEATHER FORECASTING IN FARMING
The importance of weather forecasting in farming must be considered as the world continues
to deal with global warming, climate change and its devastating effect on global food
production.
In addition, a publication by the World Resources Institute reveals that global agricultural
productivity might be reduced by 17% by 2050 as several fertile farmlands have been ruined
due to wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and constant flooding, depleting the soil of its
nurturing properties for sustainable agriculture.
What is weather forecasting in farming?
Weather forecasting in farming refers to the prediction of the atmospheric condition of a
place at a given time to ascertain its suitability or unsuitability for agricultural activities.

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This modern agricultural practice stems from the relationship between stable atmospheric
conditions such as rainfall, sunshine, temperature, humidity, air, and bountiful yield.
Types of weather forecasts when dealing with agricultural matters:
1. Now casting
Now casting describes current weather variables within zero to three hours. It gives a
complete set of complex variables such as relative humidity, temperature, wind speed and
direction, solar radiation, and type and amount of cloud precipitation. The importance of
weather forecasting with Now casting is the instantaneous extrapolation of atmospheric
variables in real-time.
2. Short-range weather forecast
The short-range weather forecast has a one to two days validity, beyond 12 hours, lasting up
to 72 hours and dramatically influences small-scale farmers’ daily routines for food
production and personal comfort. It introduces a relatively complete set of variables, just like
Now casting.
3. Medium-range forecast
Medium-range weather forecasting lasts three to four days and up to two weeks. They are
usually created for modest strategic resolutions vital for advanced agricultural planning and
development. When inaccurately done, it leads to severe adverse outcomes for farmers.
4. Long-range weather forecast
This weather forecast is so named for its extended validity period of ten days to four weeks
and is employed chiefly for differentiating from regular predictions. The forecast is usually
restricted to only essential variables like temperature and precipitation. Additionally, long-
range weather forecasting is used for seasonal planning for the crop type variety, farm input
redistribution, harvest arrangement, etc.
E-AUCTION PLATFORM

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An e-auction is a transaction between sellers and bidders (prospective buyers) that takes place
on an electronic marketplace. CCRL in association with various platforms has setup an
electronic marketplace for the E-auction facilities of Commodities across India. CCRL’s aim
is to provide better price discovery through transparent E-auction process.
1) BEAM
BSE E-Agricultural Markets Ltd. (BEAM) is an electronic spot platform for agricultural
commodities. It is a pan-India e-trading and auction platform.
2) eNAM
National Agriculture Market (eNAM) is an electronic trading portal that connects mandis all
over India to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities. eNAM portal
extends a single window service for all APMC related information and services. This
includes buy & sell trade offers, provision to respond to trade offers, and commodity arrivals
& prices.
DIGITAL MANDI:
Digital Mandi is an Electronic Trading Platform for Agro Commodities. It being developed
as an application for the Infothela.
Technology is playing an increasing role in Indian agriculture. Mobile apps, GPS support and
smart machines are just some of the ways in which farmers are finding support. One of the
ways in which the digitalisation of agriculture is making a difference is the digital mandi.
A mandi means a big market and for a farmer, a mandi is one of the access points to sell their
produce. More often than not, a mandi exists at a village level and is controlled by a few big
sellers who are also in a position to dictate prices and other terms and conditions. The advent
of technology in this mandi space has opened up new possibilities for farmers.
Why digitalise mandis?
By making the marketplace virtual or digital rather than bound by geography, farmers can get
access to:

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 Solutions to address liquidity problems
 Increase the number of buyers and sellers of commodities
 Deal more effectively with volatile prices
 Be a part of a more efficient supply chain and
 Get better prices for their produce as well
In most physical mandis, the farmers do not get their payments in time. This leads to bigger
problems and the farmer is forced to sell their produce at lower rates. Democratising the
process of payment will have a beneficial effect on income levels for the farmers.
Going beyond geographical borders means that the farmer can sell their produce in a
marketplace that gives them the best prices. By removing the middleman, farmers get direct
access to consumers, regardless of their location. This results in a growth in their consumer
base.
KISAN CALL CENTRE
In order to harness the potential of ICT in Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers
Welfare launched the scheme "Kisan Call Centres (KCCs)" on January 21, 2004. Main aim of
the project is to answer farmers' queries on a telephone call in their own dialect. The KCCs
are managed by a Service Provider i.e. IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Limited (IKSL). At present
there are 454 Farm Tele Advisors. IT Division of DAC&FW from 20/08/2014 has been
operationalizing KKMS(Kisan Knowledge Management System) from Shastri Park Centre.
Features of KCC Restructured KCCs are now providing very reliable and efficient services
due to following technological innovations and state of the art hardware/software tools:
(i) Voice/Media Gateways (IPPBX based decentralized system).
(ii) Dedicated MPLS leased line network with dedicated bandwidth.
(iii) Call barging to facilitate listening of call conversation between Farm Tele Advisor and
Farmer by the officer monitoring the quality of service provided by KCCs.
(iv) 100% Call recording and retention of recorded calls for six months so that the call can be
listened to in case of a complaint.
(v) SMS to caller farmers providing a gist of advisories given to them on phone.

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(vi) Voice mail system for recording farmer’s queries during idle time of KCC or during call
lines busy, with provision for call back to the caller.
(vii) Soft phones in every personal computer with caller ID facility.
(viii) Back up through Fixed Wireless Telephone (FWTs) in case of PRI failure.
(ix) Up scaling the knowledge of FTAs by way of providing latest versions of guide books
and booklets issued by the State Agricultural Department or the Agricultural Universities.
Facility of video conferencing of each KCC for State Agriculture and allied departments as
well as on line monitoring for the working of KCCs.
(x) Provision for registering the farmers for receiving SMS messages on agri-
advisories and mandi prices of different commodities as per their priority.
(xi) Call holding time substantially reduced to less than 30 seconds.
(xii) KKMS simplified to enable FTAs to initially reply farmers query.
(xiii) Farmers rating for FTAs monitoring.
(xiv ) Biometric attendance system of FTAs & Supervisors.
E-CHOUPAL
E-Choupal is a pioneering initiative that leverages technology to connect Indian farmers with
agricultural knowledge, resources, and markets. "Choupal" refers to a village gathering place
where farmers traditionally meet. The "E" in E-Choupal signifies the electronic
transformation of these traditional meeting points into digital hubs.
Background of E Choupal
ITC stands as a prominent Indian conglomerate engaged in multiple businesses, including
FMCG, Paper, Packaging, Agribusiness, Hotels, and IT. Recognized globally as a
sustainability exemplar, ITC is a significant player in various industries. It has 2010 revenues
of nearly USD 7 billion, established its International Business Division in 1990, focusing on
agricultural commodity trading. The e-Choupal initiative, introduced in June 2000, aimed to
enhance the supply chain by establishing direct links with farmers for procurement. It also
served as a social hub for information exchange and e-commerce transactions.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) IN AGRICULTURE: BEST
PRACTICES FOR AGRITECH LEADERS

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The power to readily collect and analyze farmland data is one of many reasons why
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are so valuable in agriculture. Field machinery on the
ground and drones and satellites in the sky collect GIS agriculture data. Then, this
information can be used for a wide variety of purposes, from precision farming and crop
prediction to livestock tracking. Major agrifood stakeholders routinely utilize GIS solutions
for agriculture to boost short-term profits and realize long-term goals of sustainable
development.
What Is GIS In Agriculture?
GIS is a tool that lets users create multi-layered interactive maps that can be used for the
visualization of complex data and for spatial analysis. How is GIS related to agriculture? The
use of GIS in agriculture enables farmers to map field data, organize and analyze it, and
monitor their crops remotely.
GPS, robotics, drone and satellite monitoring have all contributed to farm automation. These
technologies underpin collecting GIS data. By visualizing data, GIS helps farmers spot trends
and patterns, implement change detection, and quickly address issues. Precision agriculture
relies heavily on GIS to collect and interpret massive field data for informed decision-making
WHAT IS GPS, AND HOW DOES IT WORK IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR?
GPS (Global Positioning System) uses a network of 24 satellites orbiting the Earth to
provide accurate positioning information. In agriculture, GPS receivers are used to obtain
location data that can be utilized in various ways to improve farming operations.
To determine the precise location of a field, GPS receivers receive signals from multiple
satellites. Each GPS satellite broadcasts on at least two frequency bands: L1, 1575.42 MHz,
and L2, 1227.6 MHz (newer satellites also broadcast on L5, 1176 MHz). The satellites can
calculate the exact position on the earth's surface by triangulating the signals received from
GPS trackers or receivers (same with smartphones). The accurate positioning data is then
used in conjunction with specialized software and equipment to guide farming activities.
GPS receivers can be installed on tractors, combine harvesters, sprayers, and other
agricultural machinery to enable precise navigation and automated operations. These

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receivers communicate with the machinery's control system, allowing for accurate guidance,
steering, and application of inputs based on predefined maps or real-time data. It provides
accurate location information, and GPS technology ensures that every pass the machinery
makes is precise, minimizing overlaps and gaps.
GPS and Precision Farming
GPS technology in farming practices has opened up a wide range of applications in precision
farming. These applications allow farmers to make data-driven decisions and optimize their
operations for maximum productivity and sustainability.
1. Field Mapping and Soil Sampling
GPS technology enables farmers to accurately map their fields and create digital
representations of their land. They can use that information with soil sampling data. So,
farmers can gain valuable insights into the variability of soil properties across their fields. It
allows practitioners to create more precise nutrients management plans, ensuring that
fertilizers are applied at the right rates and in the right locations.
2. Variable-Rate Application
With GPS technology, farmers can create prescription maps that guide machinery to apply
inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, at varying rates based on the specific needs of
different areas within a field. It is a targeted approach that ensures the proper allocation of
resources, reduces waste, and minimizes environmental impact.
3. Automated Steering
GPS-enabled automated steering systems guide machinery along predetermined paths with
sub-inch accuracy. As we all know, automation reduces operator fatigue and minimizes
human error, resulting in more precise operations and improved efficiency.
4. Yield Monitoring
GPS technology allows farmers to accurately measure and map crop yields across their fields.
After collecting data from yields, farmers can identify areas with high or low yields, enabling
them to investigate the causes and make informed decisions to optimize productivity.

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5. Crop Health Monitoring
GPS-enabled sensors can be used to collect real-time data on crop health indicators, such as
chlorophyll levels and canopy temperature. These indicators can detect early signs of stress or
disease and help take proactive measures to prevent or mitigate crop losses.
REMOTE SENSING
Remote sensing involves aerial or satellite scans of the Earth’s surface. When it comes to
medium spatial resolution land remote sensing data gathered from space, Landsat is
unrivaled. The Landsat 8 is an observation satellite that orbits Earth every 16 days. It records
nine visible light bands helping assess crop health, nutrient content, insect infestation, or
moisture. Not only does Landsat 8 record visible light, but also invisible to the human eye
thermal infrared radiation (TIR)
DRONES IN AGRICULTURE
Revolutionizing Indian Agriculture: 7 Key Applications of Drones
1. Agrispray
Traditionally, the process of spraying pesticides in the field involves considerable manual
effort, with a farmer or laborer spending an entire day to cover the necessary ground. In
contrast, Agrispray drones streamline this task with unparalleled efficiency as they can
accomplish the same pesticide spraying operation in a mere 30 minutes or less, transforming
a labor-intensive, time-consuming task into a swift operation. Moreover, Agrispray drones
operate with precision, minimizing the risk of overusing pesticides and reducing resource
wastage.
2. Geospatial imaging
Geospatial Imaging using drones revolutionizes agriculture by providing high-resolution,
real-time insights. It encompasses a broad range of technologies, including satellite and aerial
imagery, GIS (Geographic Information System), and remote sensing. Equipped with
advanced cameras, drones capture detailed imagery, including multispectral and

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hyperspectral data, enabling farmers to monitor crop health, detect diseases early, and assess
soil conditions.
3. Precision spraying
Agricultural drones offer a key advantage in precision agriculture by Spraying with pinpoint
accuracy. Equipped with specialized sensors and nozzles, these drones can precisely apply
the right amount of water to specific areas of a field. This targeted approach minimizes water
wastage, ensuring each plant receives the optimal moisture for healthier growth and improved
crop yields. This not only conserves water but also enhances overall agricultural efficiency.
4. Soil surveillance
Equipped with advanced sensors, they provide soil maps, analyze soil composition, and
enable precision agriculture practices. They help in the early detection of soil issues, optimize
irrigation management, and offer cost-efficient soil surveys. Integration with data analytics
enhances decision-making, and overall, drone-based soil monitoring supports sustainable
farming practices, contributing to improved crop productivity.
5. Surveying topography and boundaries
Some advanced drones are equipped with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors,
which use laser beams to measure distances. Its data helps create highly detailed and precise
topographic maps, even in densely vegetated or challenging terrains. The technology
penetrates through vegetation, revealing microtopography and also helping in water flow
analysis. This data is also crucial for erosion monitoring, infrastructure planning, and
sustainable land management.
6. Drone seeding
Drone-planting systems introduced a revolutionary method in agriculture by enabling drones
to shoot pods containing seeds and essential nutrients directly into the soil. This innovative
technology not only reduces costs significantly but also ensures a high level of consistency
and efficiency in the planting process. By optimizing seed distribution and nutrient delivery,
drone seeding contributes to enhanced crop yields and holds promise for transforming
traditional planting methods in agriculture.

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7. Streamlining insurance process
Drones function as invaluable tools for both farmers and insurance companies. Farmers
utilize drone-captured data to streamline the crop insurance claiming process, precisely
assessing risks and losses associated with their land. On the other side, insurance companies
rely on agri-drones for efficient and trustworthy evidence, enabling precise estimations for
monetary compensation tailored to the damages incurred by farmers. This symbiotic
relationship underscores the pivotal role of drone technology in enhancing the efficiency and
accuracy of agricultural insurance processes.
Drones are crucial for agriculture and are farmer's best friends. But that’s not it, the journey
doesn't end here. Want to explore how drones are changing farming? Connect with us to
discover the importance of drones in agriculture.

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