Innovative Agricultural Information Services by ICTProjects in India

Abstract

In recent years farmers attitude to access to agricultural information have been changed because of very fast networking of information and communication technology. Especially rural marketing exploring in a new ways as farmers access to market information. Various projects have been developed that integrate ICTs into the dissemination of agricultural information to farmers. This paper discusses a number of innovative projects that utilize ICTs in delivering information to farmers, focusing its analysis on mobile telephony, internet kiosks, like ITC e choupal, Tata kisan kedras etc. internet portals, which has become more widespread in recent years as a means of disseminating agricultural information to farmers and offers various means of providing agricultural information. The objective of the study to evaluate different ICT projects running in India and to provide an overview of the types of services and projects that are in existence or being designed to disseminate information to Indian farmers in a new ways. attempted to facilitate technology transfer in the agricultural sector. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are crucial in facilitating communication and access to information for agricultural and rural development. Since agriculture is the national priority sector, it is one of the potentially beneficial areas for the application of ICTs for economic transformation. Development of networks and use of low-cost ICTs enhance timely access to accurate and reliable information. It therefore calls for investment of part of the country's limited resources for ICT development. Information and communication technologies are making tremendous impact on the rural economy due to its wide application and appeal. It may seem paradoxical that modem lets associated with developed country markets and capital intensive methods of production, has any relevance for country like India where many millions of people lack in basic needs. Nevertheless, there are many efforts in India and other developing countries to demonstrate the concrete benefits of ICT for rural population and to carry out the same in a manner that makes economic sense. (Singh, Nirvikar, 2004). A large numbers of initiatives has been made and are being made in rural India, to deploy ICT as a developmental tool for creating awareness among fanners and rural artisans, and for