E-Technologies in the Aid of Farmers

E-technology refers to the Internet and related information technologies.

“Digital Agriculture”, a recently coined catchphrase, seems a misnomer – it actually refers to the use of digital technologies in managing the business of agriculture. ‘Digital Technologies in Agriculture’ is probably the more accurate narrative.

There are three basic pillars for the digital empowerment of farmers

1. Agri-extension Services: These refer to educational, information and skilling services often provided digitally.
2. Services: Marketing & Credit etc.
3. Research

Agri-Extension and Information Services	Services	Research & Upcoming Technologies
Formal e-training & demonstrations	Financial services: e-credit, insurance services.	Gene mapping
Information Dissemination: e-Advisories & recommendations DD Kisan Social Media	E-Marketing: E-NAM, E-pashuhaat Portal: To connect farmers & breeders of bovine animals. ENSURE Portal: For quicker DBT subsidies. Developed by NABARD	Survey and Data Collection: Remote sensing Use of Drones
Kisan Call Centres.	Precision Farming	Block Chain
e-Land records	e-Custom hiring	Bio & Geo Tagging

Opportunities for e-services

More than 450 Agri-tech start-ups already working in India and the number is rapidly growing. This growth can be accredited to the following factors:

• Increasing Internet access: Increasing availability of energy and internet connectivity to the largely rural landscape is accelerating changes.
• India’s highly skilled IT industry can be used to strengthen agri-extension services through e-technology as physically it will not be possible.
• Rising Rural Literacy: As rural literacy rates rise, farmers are becoming more receptive to adopting digital solutions. Educated farmers can leverage technology to improve farm practices.
• Diverse Geography and Physiography: India’s varied agro-climatic zones provide ample opportunities for digital tools tailored to different farming practices. Digital platforms can offer localized weather forecasts, pest management solutions, and crop advisories that suit specific climatic conditions.
• Bridge Linguistic diversity: India’s multilingual population creates communication gaps. E-technology can enable farmers to access critical knowledge in their preferred language and enhance engagement and adoption of digital solutions.
• Low Farmer-to-Extension Worker Ratio: It is 1:1162, compared to the standard of 1:750. E-services provide a huge gap to fill. Therefore, ICT and e-technology will play an important role in the Indian scenario to extend the extension services to a larger pool of farmers even with less manpower.

Mechanisms and Applications

The power of e-technologies can be harnessed in three ways:

1. Data Collection
2. Data Processing and creating intelligence.
3. Dissemination of data and creating awareness, i.e. making the processed information available to the farmers.

Data Collection

24-hour data collection and monitoring is possible with the help of various e-technologies.

1. Sensor-based Technologies:

• RFID tags for livestock tracking
• Digital Spectrogram – Transforming soil health and ecology. Spectral imaging can give farmers access to information on their soil health status, which can be used to decide on the optimal use of various resources as inputs, enabling optimal yield possible for each argo-climatic zone and soil.

2. Remote Sensing Technologies:

• Evaluate crop losses: Assessing crop damage due to disasters or pest attacks, spread of disease etc.
• Monitor bio-diversity: assessing pasture land and  impact of agro-ecology
• Assessing Physical factors: Humidity levels of ground etc
• Crop health Monitoring: determination of NIR (Near-infrared) and red reflectance by the internal leaf cellular structure and chlorophyll content. In principle, any damage to chlorophyll content due to pest, disease, nutrient stress, or delay in crop sowing manifests itself indirectly through an increase in Red reflectance, lowering indices value.

3. Geographical Information System (GIS)

• GIS is usually a set of computer tools and is a unique platform that allows one to work with multiple data that are tied to a spatially mapped location or area on Earth.

4. Use of Drones:

• Areal Survey and Mapping – For land use and crop health,
• Spraying pesticides and fertilizers.
• Estimation of losses due to disasters.
• Seed dispersion

5. IoT/Robots –

• Moisture Sensors for automated irrigation: Use of specialised sensors to assess soil moisture and composition to initiate a controlled flow of water with precise dosage of nutrients without immediate human interface.
• Soil sensors remotely provide info to farmers on mobile about Soil and Crop Health.
• Robotics can be used in Warehouse management (for processes such as Sorting and Grading), Nursery management and Veterinary services.

Data Processing:

Big Data Analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics & Sensors, etc. are interrelated and are used to optimise the decision-making process and the operating procedures of every sphere where they find application.

• Prediction of crop prices based on market forces and acreage and data related to sowing.
• Crop Classification: Estimating crop acreage to intimate procurement agencies and market forces to react.
• Loss prediction: Such as through Locust attacks and Pest attack prediction; Weed recognition.
• Crop Management: deciding whether it’s the right time to sow,
• Soil management: estimating the right inputs for the fertilisers, estimating the fertigation needs – when and how much, using the soil data.
• Efficient Livestock management: the automated milking units can analyse the milk quality and flag abnormalities in the product
• Policy-making: We can use physical data to judge the efficiency of schemes to fine-tune them. For example in the PMFBY we can use the physical data of the money claimed with the actual losses that occurred in the economy using remote sensing data.
• Developmentof improved seeds

Information Dissemination

Efficient Agri-extension services require

• Mobile penetration has increased, which has – for info dissemination.
• Using several government portals such as through Universal Soil Health Card scheme, the government can educate the farmers about the best crops, cropping and irrigation practices.
• Blockchain – Digitized Land Records, Authentic Supply Chain, Valid info throughauthenticated satellite images of crops, reducing transaction costs and litigations.

Importance of E-Technologies:

According to a recent report, it has been revealed that mobile internet access can increase a small farmer’s revenue by 50%.

• Cost Minimization & conservation of resources–by reducing transaction costs, using precision agricultur
• Improved logistics: Efficiency in agricultural value chains system
• Reducing information and technology asymmetry: access to technology and information. Use of AI and Chatbots, Robotics linguistic and cultural diversity can easily be dealt with linguistic and geographical barriers.
• Transparent System– Red-tapism is reduced using ICT, for example, DBT through Jan-Dhan, and PMKISAN use of AADHAR makes the system transparent and reduces duplicity.
• Data-driven prompt decision-making: use of sensors, logic-controlled systems, data analytics, etc.
• Mitigation of crop losses: Assessing crop damage due to disasters or pest attacks, spread of disease etc.
• Macro Monitoring: assessing pasture land, the impact of agroecology, bio-diversity, and Humidity levels of ground etc.
• Crop Classification: Estimating crop acreage to intimate procurement agencies and market forces to react.
• Community Participation:Each member of the community can participate and contribute as distance is not a hurdle in ICT
• Integrity:The use of full-proof technology like Block Chain Technology will make the overall system much more transparent
• Minimizing Corruption in subsidy programs: The biggest hurdle is trickle-down effect is not observed as the government aid does not trickle down to lower strata and benefits are taken away by affluent farmers. ICT will help in minimizing this.

Challenges:

Technical Challenges

• Manpower Problem: The ratio of extension workers to operational holding is low at 1:1162 at the national level as against the recommended 1:750. The Industry needs more skilled personnel.
• Power Supply: India produces 90% of the total electricity demand, which creates power shortages in rural areas limiting the use of e-technologies.
• Cyber Security: Digital illiteracy increases when the vulnerability of the system. It manifests in various forms such as Issues of privacy, data leaks, financial fraud etc.
• Challenges due to physical diversity: India has multiple agro-climatic zones and ways of cultivation, making it difficult to transfer technology on an individual basis to each farmer.

Investment related Challenges

• Nascent stage of development: A Nasscom survey found that almost 90% of the existing start-ups and tech-based companies have solutions that are focused only on pre-harvest operations and not on post-harvest which has a higher investment potential due to the presence of big companies.
• Initial Investment: The initial investment would require the establishment of computer systems, communication devices, remote sensing satellites, centralized networking etc.
• Lost the first mover advantage: Countries like China and the USA have very strong networks of Agriculture extension

Problems of outreach:

• Limited outreach of government in villages and lack of awareness about the government initiatives.
• Linguistic Diversity: India has more than 500 dialects. It is difficult to build services in all major dialects.
• E-Literacy: Many who own phones do not know how to use them. Just  2% of the cultivators in India use mobile applications for farm-related activities and real-time alerts, adoption of tech solutions such as the Internet of Things (IoT) remains at a nascent stage.

e-technology Initiatives in India

The government launched the National Policy for Farmers in 2007. It provided for the use of technology.

Agriculture 2.0

Under the Digital India Initiative (e-Kranti), Agriculture 2.0 (Digital Agriculture) has been launched as a mission mode Project (MMP). Electronic Delivery of Services, Information for All and Early Harvest Programmes.

Mass-communication Initiatives for Knowledge Transfer

Kisan Call Centre

The Kisan Call Centre is started by the Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals (IASP). The KCC is a combination of ICT & Agricultural technology.

• It uses a back-end data support system, which is built into the overall MIS (Management Information system). Data from SAUs, ICAR institutions etc.
• It enables farmers to have direct discussions with the subject matter experts who can analyse the problem effectively & provide the solution directly.

DD Kisan Channel:

DD Kisan is a dedicated television channel focused on agricultural development.

• It offers farmers a range of content, including farming techniques, crop management, weather updates, market trends, and government schemes.
• By providing relevant and accessible information, the channel helps farmers make informed decisions to improve productivity and profitability.

Apps and Portals

Apps and Portals	Description
M-Kisan SMS portal	Mobile advisory to farmers in the local language
Sandesh Pathak app	To read SMS aloud for reading difficulties
AGROPEDIA portal	ICAR initiative – online knowledge repository
KisanSuvidha portal	It provides information related to market prices, seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, weather and agricultural machinery. Developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC)
PusaKrishi App	It provides information on new technologies. Developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), also known as the Pusa Agricultural Institute.
SasyaSree	A One Stop Telugu (Telangana) portal for Information Dissemination
Meghdoot Mobile App	It provides the temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind speed and direction, and how to take care of crops and livestock. Developed by the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Akash-Ganga	MIS for Dairy Farming – timely collection and payment
Fisher Friend Mobile Application	It provides advisory – in the local language to the fishermen – wave height, potential fishing zone, market price, and government schemes.
AGMARKNET portal	It enables price discovery and commodity arrival information. Developed by NIC and the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI)

Agricultural Extension Services

1. Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): These serve as agricultural extension centres providing practical training and technical support to farmers. They focus on improving agricultural practices, introducing innovative technologies, and addressing region-specific challenges. KVKs empower farmers with knowledge of crop management, pest control, soil health, and modern farming techniques.
2. Village Knowledge Centres (VKCs) serve as local hubs for agricultural knowledge dissemination in rural areas. These centres offer access to expert advice, technical training, and digital resources, enabling farmers to make informed decisions. VKCs bridge the information gap by providing localized and practical solutions for farming challenges at the village level.
3. National Missionon Agricultural Extension and Technology: The mission has four core sub-schemes:
   1. Sub-Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE): Strengthens the extension system to promote new technologies, innovations, and knowledge transfer.
   2. Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP): Focuses on improving the availability of quality seeds and planting materials for enhancing crop productivity.
   3. Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM): Promotes the adoption of farm mechanization for increasing efficiency in farming operations.
   4. Sub-Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine (SMPPQ): Aims to improve plant protection measures, pest and disease management, and plant quarantine systems.
4. Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) – research, agricultural extension, farmer linkage
5. I-Hub: ICRISAT established it in 2017 – “i” stands for innovation, integration, inspiration and impact. The platform offers a model to scale science-based solutions through entrepreneurs and works closely with T-Hub, India’s largest start-up incubator.
6. Village Resource Centre– connected with Universities

Marketing and Price Discovery:

• MCX – Multi-commodity Exchange enables the establishment of a digital market for bulk commodities, including agricultural commodities.
• National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) enables price discovery across all Mandis throughout India. However, states have not been eager to adopt e-NAM.
• Agricultural Marketing Information Network (AGMARKNET) portal– It enables price discovery and gives information about the arrival of commodities.
• Rashtriya Kisan Agri Mandi or e-RaKAM brings together the farmers, PSUs, civil supplies and buyers on a single platform to ease the selling and buying process of agricultural products.

Agricultural Marketing Information Network (AGMARKNET)

It’s a G2C e-governance portal started in 2000, and implemented by NIC and the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI), Ministry of Agriculture. It links around 7,000 agricultural wholesale markets in India with the State Agricultural Marketing Boards and Directorates for effective information exchange. Single window Information transmission: It facilitates the generation & transmission of prices, commodity arrival information from agricultural produce markets, and web-based dissemination to producers, consumers, traders, and policymakers transparently and quickly. It caters to the needs of various stakeholders such as farmers, industry, policymakers and academic institutions by providing agricultural marketing-related information from a single window. It has helped to reach farmers who do not have sufficient resources to get adequate market information. It facilitates web-based information flow, of the daily arrivals and prices of commodities in the agricultural produce markets spread across the country.

Initiatives related to Space technology in agriculture:

Programme	Activity
FASAL (Forecasting Agricultural output  using Space, Agro-Meteorology and Land-based observations)	Multiple pre-harvest production forecasts of 8 major crops at district/state/national level.
NADAMS (National Agricultural Drought Assessment & Monitoring System)	Periodic district/sub-district level agricultural drought assessment for 14 major states.
CHAMAN (Coordinated Horticulture Assessment and Management using geo- informatics)	Area & production estimation of 7 horticultural crops in 12 states and horticultural developmental plan using geospatial technology
KISAN (Crop Insurance using Space technology And geo-informatics)	To explore the use of remote sensing for a more accurate assessment of crop yield.
Crop Intensification: Rice-Fallow	Mapping and monitoring of post-kharif rice fallow lands using satellite remote sensing and GIS technologies for Rabi crop area expansion.

Private sector-led initiatives

The private sector initiatives are too few, as there is very little investment in the agriculture from private sector, but are important:

1. e-Choupal by ITC – internet KIOSK in the village – weather, marketing channel
2. MAHINDRA KISAN MITRA – weather, prices, cold storage, loan, insurance info

Other Initiatives

1. Geo-MGNREGA: by MoRD in association with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO and NIC  for geo-tagging the assets created under MGNREGS in each gram panchayat – to press for accountability.
2. SWAMITVA – digitized land records
3. Kisan Credit Card-  Access to Financial Services

FAQs related to E-Technologies in the Aid of Farmers