Agrotechnology

ICTs in Indian agriculture: A case study

2^nd International Conference on Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Hyderabad, India February 03-05, 2014

C. D. Autade, R. K. Behl, S. K. Mehta and A. K. Godara

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

Rapid innovations in telecommunications, semi-conductors, microprocessors, fiber optics and micro electronics are the engines of growth for development of countries across the world. These innovations are being referred to as Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). ICT sector in India is growing fast with its application in various fields using different ICT tools like television, radio, telephone and others. Growth in Indian information technology (IT) in the world market is primarily dominated by IT software and services, including system integration, IT constituting, application management, custom applications, infrastructural management, software testing and web development. India has tremendous progress in the field of agriculture over last few decades. The technology development in Agricultural sciences has changed the agriculture sector in a great extent. Present time is right time to use Information technology revolution in Agriculture. The demand for fast access to accurate information on crop choice, technology, input, production practices, services and market is increasing at a rapid pace from farmers end. Application of ICT models in India, with a few initiatives from public and private sectors has helped the farmers to obtain the required and accurate information. The old ICTs like radio, television, video, films, slides, pictures, print media, telephones, drama, dance, folklore, group discussion, meetings, exhibitions, demonstrations etc., are being used to disseminate the information to the grass root level users. The new ICT includes digital devices such as computers, E-mail, internet, multimedia, video conference, mobile phones etc., which have the potential of providing vast amount of relevant information to rural populations in timely, comprehensive and cost effective manner. Role of ICT in agriculture management of natural disasters and environmental hazards is beyond doubt. It can provide access to timely information and facilitate link with government agencies for effective governance and can improve livelihood and security of rural community. Many ICT projects were taken up, to provide relevant agricultural information in rural areas, helping farmers to improve their labor productivity, increase their yield, and realize a better price for their produce. Thus, the role of Information technology to develop agriculture and quality of life in rural area is well established. ICT can help an average Indian farmer to get relevant information regarding agro-inputs, crop production technologies, agro processing, market support, agro-finance and management of farm agri-business. A case of weather forecasting was taken up where the farmers of Haryana state are given weather updates through mobile phones SMSs. Based on these SMSs, the farmers can take preventive/ corrective measures.

Biography :

C. D. Autade has been completing P.D course curriculum at the age of 28 from Choudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture university, Hisar (Haryana) before which, He has served as Assistant Professor Dept. of Extension Education, at Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil college of agriculture, Talsande, (Affiliated to MPKV, Rahuri) Dist. Kolhapur State: MAHARASHTRA. He has completed his post graduate research work on Tribal Community of Maharashtra.