17-05-2018
Agri-Informatics (AAM/BPM-205)
A.S. Nain
Professor & Head, Agrometeorology
GBPUA&T, Pantnagar
Definition
E-agriculture involves the conceptualization, design, development,
evaluation and application of innovative ways to use ICTs in the rural
domain, with a primary focus on agriculture.
Provisions of standards, norms, methodologies, and tools as well as
development of individual and institutional capacities, and policy
support are all key components of e-agriculture.
ICT is used as an umbrella term encompassing all information and
communication technologies including devices, networks, mobiles,
services and applications; these range from innovative Internet-era
technologies and sensors to other pre-existing aids such as fixed
telephones, televisions, radios and satellites.
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Introduction
Agriculture is increasingly knowledge-intensive and today’s farmers live in a
challenging environment. There is a continuing need to provide the right
information to the people who need to make the decisions that make the
difference to their livelihoods and thereby ensure the food security of the ever
growing population. Providing such knowledge can be challenging, however,
because the highly localized nature of agriculture means that information must
be tailored specifically to local conditions.
ICTs have been a significant contributor to growth and socio-economic
development in business sectors, countries and regions where they are well
adopted and integrated. The large adoption and integration of ICTs have
improved service delivery, created new jobs (while making some older ones
less relevant), generated new revenue streams and saved money.
The rapid growth of mobile phone ownership globally provides new avenues to
share and access information. Now every family has access to mobile phone,
which can be used to provide right information to right person.
Introduction
E-agriculture has been one of the main action lines of The World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS) implementation process. During the WSIS+10 high-
level events in 2014, the meeting identified six major action points for e-
agriculture.
1) As part of national ICT strategies, foster the development and
implementation of national e-agriculture strategies focusing on providing
reliable and affordable connectivity and integrating ICTs in rural development to
support food security and hunger eradication.
2) Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing in agriculture via electronic
communities of practice, including the e-agriculture Community, in order to
showcase and promote models, methodologies, good practices and the
adoption of Open Access and interoperability standards, for effective and
equitable use of ICTs for sustainable agriculture and rural development.
3) Promote the creation and adaptation of content including in local languages
and contexts from reliable and trusted sources, including, ensuring equitable
and timely access to agricultural knowledge by resource-poor men and women
farmers, foresters and fisher folk in rural areas.
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Introduction
4) Foster digital literacy of institutions and communities in rural and remote
areas taking into consideration local needs and constraints by providing
appropriate learning opportunities for all which will enhance individual and
collective decision-making skills.
5) Promote the use of ICTs to reinforce the resilience capacity of states,
communities and individuals to mitigate and adapt to natural and man-made
disasters, food chain challenges, socio-economic and other crises, conflicts
and transboundary threats, diseases, and environmental damages.
6) Promote Public-Private Partnerships in cooperation with relevant
CSOs/NGOs, cooperatives, farmer organizations, academia, research
institutions in the agricultural sector (which also includes forestry and fishery)
for inclusive, efficient, affordable and sustainable ICT services and initiatives in
agriculture and rural development which will promote the wide scale use
of ICT and foster sustainable agri-business models.
Components: Enabling
Environment
Leadership and Governance
Legislation, Policy and Compliance
Strategy and Investment
Infrastructure
ICT Services and Applications
Standard and Interoperability
Content, Knowledge Management and Sharing
Workforce and Capacity Development
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Concept
E-Agriculture: Vision
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Role of ICT in Agriculture
