THE ROLE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) TOOL IN EMPOWERING PEASANTS IN INDIAN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

*Dr.B.MAHADEVAN ** Dr .A.MOHANASUNDARAM,

*Assistant Professor  & Research Coordinator, Department of Library and information science,                     Shree Venkateshwara arts and science (co-education) college, Gobi,Erode,Tamilnadu, India

** Professor & Principal, Shree Venkateshwara arts and science (co-education) college, Gobi,Erode,Tamilnadu, India

Email id:dmaha32@gmail.com, vivegam06@admin

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be defined as a basket of technologies which assist or support in storage, processing of data/information or dissemination /communication of data. The application of ICT in agriculture is increasingly important. E-agriculture is an emerging field focusing on the enhancement of agricultural and rural development through improved information and communication processes. ICT are most natural allies to facilitate the outreach of agriextension system in the country. Despite large, well- educated, well- trained and well organized agricultural extension manpower, around 60% of farmers in the country still remain unreached, not served by any extension agency. The major source of information is radio and television. Approximately 45% ICT projects of whole World have been implemented in India and also maximum no. of information Kiosks has been employed in rural India. It was found that majority of the ICT projects in agriculture were put into action in socio- economically developed states of South and North India, while deprived states are not benefitted by ICT initiatives. Some of the e-Agriculture initiatives in India include e- Extension, Agrisnet, Digital green, e- Sagu, Agmarknet, iKisan, Village Knowledge Centers, Kisan Call Centers, SMS Portal/mKisan portal. The e-Agriculture disseminates useful information through Decision Support System (DSS) and Expert system (ES). Moreover ICT help in finalising decision making at the right time, to discover best solutions and efficient systems for water management and irrigation to harvest maximum yield.

Keywords: Information and Communication Technology, Agriculture, initiatives, DSS, ESUrban and Global Markets.


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