Agricultural videotex in Europe: the Greek approach

Abstract

Videotex services in agriculture are operational in many countries of Europe. Experience has highlighted the wide-ranging fields of application involved and the different levels of technology adopted by the farming community. The main factors affecting agricultural videotex development are the investment and support policies applied, linkages with information sources, access compatibility both through networks and terminals, and integration with existing information systems in agriculture. This paper outlines the videotex policy applied by the European Community. Emphasis is given to the less telematically advanced member states. The main factors affecting the new developments and promotion of agricultural videotex services, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, are described and discussed. Particular attention is given to the Greek agricultural videotex system AGROTEL, which emerged from the videotex pilot project DIMITRA. The design aspects of the current information content and the end-user/computer interface are discussed. The main obstacles AGROTEL faces are analysed with the aim of providing appropriate recommendations, so as to move successfully to a self-sustainable service. The videotex pilot project DIMITRA is also described and the latest developments are reported. The study shows that although Greece faces particular problems, DIMITRA has achieved most of the stated objectives.