“Adoption of Technology and ICTs in Indian Agriculture-

Trends, Issues, Opportunity”

Submitted by

SHRUTI RANA
AYUSHI SAKLECHA

in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

SHOOLINI UNIVERSITY
OF LIFE SCIENCES AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
BAJHOL, SOLAN, HP – 173212

March, 2020
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Although it is beyond our world power to acknowledge for the project report guidance to all those
who have co-operated with us but as matter of tradition we are trying to express it. With great
reference we would like to express our profound gratitude to Dr. Kuldeep C. Rojhe and our project
mentor Dr. Supriya Srivastav for providing us with great opportunity of learning, keen interest,
invaluable guidance and constant inspiration which was constructive to achieve the goal throughout
my project report. We would like to thank all the people who came across at Shoolini University.
Their inspiring guidance, indispensable support, enthusiastic mentoring and critical appreciation
from our respectable guides, staff of our organization. Our extended interactions have always been
provided to me with a stimulating atmosphere and kept my interest levels high in the course of this
project report. We would like to express our special regards towards our faculty members as
without their constant supervision we would not be able complete this project.
Lastly, we thank almighty, our parents for their constant encouragement without which this training
would not be possible and also our friends and classmates for their support and guidance.
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the Project work entitled “Adoption Of Technology And ICTs In Indian
Agriculture: Trends, Opportunity, Issues” submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for
the award of degree of Master of Business Administration to Shoolini University of
Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Solan (H.P.) is a bonafide Projectwork carried
out by Shruti Rana & Ayushi Saklecha.
No part of this work has been submitted for any other degree or diploma.

Signature: Name Of Guides: Dr. Supriya Srivastav

Signature:

Place: Solan

Date : 15.03.20
 Table of Content
Chapter Particulars Page
Number Number
Abstract

Chapter 1 Introduction 1-12

1.1 Introduction 1-2

1.2 Time to re look the agriculture 3-4

sector

1.3 Emerging trends in Indian 4-9

agriculture and future outlook

1.4 Factors relating to the Adoption of 10-11

Technologies

1.5 Application Of Technology To 11-12

Raise Farm Productivity

1.6 Importance of Agricultural 12

Technology

1.7 Objectives of Study 12

Chapter 2 Understanding the concept of 12-31

ICT and technologies
: methods, trends, opportunities,
issues.
2.1 ICT in agriculture 15-16

2.2 Major components of ICTs 16

initiatives
2.3 Role of ICTs in agriculture 17-19

2.4 Technological integration in 19-21

agriculture

2.5 Types of Technologies 26-32

 2.6 Impact of the technology on 32-38
agricultural growth of india
2.7 Trends 38-41

2.8 Issue/key barriers in adoption 42

2.9 Challenges 42-44

2.10 Advantages/ benefits of ICTs in 44-45

agriculture
Opportunities
2.11 45
Chapter 3 Literature review 30-34
Chapter 4 Research methodology/design 36
4.1 Research methodology 36
4.2 Need of study 36
4.3 Research design 36
4.4 Data collection methods 36
Chapter 5 Conclusion/Findings 37-40
5.1 Findings 38
5.2 Conclusion 39-40
5.3 Recommendations 41
Chapter 6 Bibliography 42
 Table of Figures

Figure Particulars Page Number

No.

1.1 Agricultural land by use in India 2

Comparative analysis of population

1.2 growth with per capita GDP 3

Rise in the demand for food and

1.3 processed commodities. 3

Existing status and some projections

1.4 for the Indian agriculture and allied 4
sector
Year-wise Area under major crops
1.5 6

2.1 Role of ICTs in agriculture 15

Components of ICTs inctitative by

2.3 India 22

Technologies used by basal villagers

5.1 for agricultural purpose 38

Source of information for basal

5.1 people 38
 ABSTRACT

This research paper focuses on the importance of usage of ICTs and various technologies used in
agricultural sector in India. Agricultural sector needs effective utilization of technology to boost up
production and inturn fulfill the growing consumption & employability of individuals. The main purpose
of this paper is to understand, what are the different types of technologies and ICTs in agriculture and the
impact it can create with it's effective usage in present Indian scenario. Also the factors that limit the
usage of technology among farmers in India and it's comparison with the other developed countries. There
are numerous types of technologies that are made use of to enhance productivity. The main areas that have
been taken into account are, Trends of how technology is shaping, Initiatives by Gov. of India to boost
ICTs & technologies for efficient growth and development in agricultural sector, Also there is need to
familiarize the Indian farmers with the new technologies like, biotechnology, nanotechnology, high-tech
protected cultivation and modern irrigation methods to accelerate production along with the major issues
for adoption of these technologies like lack of awareness about the technological use and the rural
consequences. No matter India started shadowing agricultural sector with different initiatives and policies
over a year ago but still there is some gap between the technologies and its adoption. These technologies
when utilized in an appropriate manner; would prove to be an important aspect in improving productivity
and profitability. Usage of technology would enhance in sustaining livelihood opportunities for the
farmers in India. e-Agriculture is the growing segment which needs lot of focus and investment. This
report also includes the opportunities in this growing segment which will inturn help us to shape our
country.

Key Words: Technology, Agricultural sector, Productivity, Profitability, e-Agriculture, Farming System,
Farmers,Information Technology and communication
 Chapter I
Introduction
1.1 INTRODUCTION:

The historical backdrop of Agriculture in India goes back to Indus Valley Civilization and even
before that in certain spots of Southern India. India positions second worldwide in farm yields.
According to 2018, farming utilized half of the Indian work power and contributed 17–18% to the
nation's GDP. India’s economic contribution to its Gross Domestic Product is steadily declining
along with its economic growth, still, the agricultural sector is considered to be the broadest
economic sector demographically and plays an important role in the overall financial position of
India.
The agriculture sector is also called the backbone of the Indian economy as the majority of the
population is entirely dependent on agribusiness, also feeding and supporting billions of
households. The rural division in India is now passing through a troublesome stage. India is moving
towards an agrarian crisis due to lack of consideration, insufficient land reforms, imperfect land
management, non-providing of reasonable costs to agriculturists for their crops, insufficient
investment in the irrigational and agrarian foundation in India, etc. India’s food production and
efficiency are declining whereas its food utilization is expanding. The position has become worse
due to utilizing of food grains to meet the demand of bio fuels. Indeed the arrangement of the
import of food grains would be troublesome, as India does not have ports and calculated
frameworks for large-scale imports.
Advances in technology inside agribusiness have made a gigantic commitment to the lives of each
person on the planet today, both monetarily and socially. It is not the only industry it is the
establishment of our human advancement. Indian agriculture has moved a long way past the
creation of fundamental food grains. The past systems have been effective, as in India changed from
import reliance to self-sufficiency. On the off chance that we see farming development and
instability has remained the subject of serious talk about in the rural financial matters of India. The
increment in instability in Agricultural generation is considered unfavorable for a few reasons
because it raises the risk involved in cultivating production and influences farmers’ income and
decisions to embrace high paying technologies and make investments in cultivating. At the same
time, the key inquiry that emerges is, whether our current methodologies satisfactorily organize the
key components that can carry success to our farmers by giving low-cost solutions and
accomplishing desired future growth. So there's a need to give effective and advanced technology
with low cost incurred and coming about in higher level of production to move from conventional
practices. So, by taking this in intellect government attempted to set up and actualize new
innovative ways for the way better implies of production and improving the agriculture yield in its
plans to elevate the conditions of farmers and agricultural sector. Although India has a huge
presence internationally in the production of cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, and animal products
simultaneously their efficiency is very low. To increase production efficiency, it is important to
effectively use the technology that is required and the augmentation of these developed systems.
Several revolutions in agriculture have taken place to boost the sector. These include Green
Revolution, Evergreen Revolution, Blue Revolution, White Revolution, Yellow Revolution, Bio-
technology Revolution, Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Revolution.
“Information and communication technology in agriculture (ICT in agriculture), also known as e-
agriculture, focuses on the enhancement of agricultural and rural development through improved
information and communication processes.” ICTs can promote learning, which in turn can facilitate

Page 9
technology adoption among farmers, but can also revolutionize early warning systems through
better quality data and analysis. On the other hand, policymakers can also benefit from increased
information sharing, which allows them to gather a more complete overview of the situation on the
ground in their country. Agricultural systems need to be enhanced in a way that technological
influence should be a core part of it, which will hereby be regarded as a key aspect of agricultural
growth. Also with the contribution of the private segment absorption of technology would take
place rapidly in this sector.
Technological advancements and technologies will led to considerable growth in the agricultural
sector. This will change how agriculture is done in our nation and guarantee future development
without bargaining the man-machine linkage. Some of the Advanced agricultural technologies used
in the present existence are tractors on autopilot mode, Swath control and variable rate technology,
telematics, well defined irrigation system, ploughing methods, enriching nutrients or fertility of soil,
controlled applications using pesticide sampling/traps, use of polyhouse & greenhouses, multiple
cropping etc., brought in substantially higher yields and a good amount of income to the farmers.

1.2 TIME FOR INDIA TO RELOOK THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

India must shift from subsistence farming to strong agricultural systems that not only provide food
security to all its citizens, but also ensure income protection for its farmers, more diverse and better
food for its citizens, and competitive agriculture productivity levels globally.
Productivity in agriculture can be seen from two lenses: per hectare and per farm worker basis.
Over the past few decades, India has increased its productivity per hectare, but the emerging market
on this metric has lagged far behind peers and most developed countries.
The disproportionately large workforce in agriculture is related to India's land size. From an average
of 2.7 hectares in 1970, the fields of India have gradually become more fragmented, and according
to the latest agrarian census 2015-16 India's average farm size is now 1 hectare. To say this,
compare Canada (~ 300 hectares), Argentina (~ 500 hectares) and Ukraine (~ 1,000 hectares). Small
landholding mechanization, adoption of technology and economies of scale do not accumulate at
such feudal levels.
Increasing population and per capita incomes are increasing the demand for food and processed
goods. Food grains demand is projected to increase from 192 million tonnes in 2000 to 345 million
tones.In 2030. Therefore, the production of food grains needs to increase to 5.5 million tonnes over
the next 20 years
.

Page 10
Figure-1 Agricultural land by use in India

1950-51 2014-15
1. Forest
1. Forest
14%
2. Not Available
for Cultivation 23%
2. Not Available
(A+B) for Cultivation
(A+B)

42% 3. Other
Uncultivated
17% 3. Other
46% Uncultivated
land excluding
Fallow land excluding
Fallow

4. Fallow Lands 14%

4. Fallow Lands
(A+B) (A+B)

17%
5. Net Area
Sown (6-7) 8% 5. Net Area
10% Sown (6-7)
9%

( Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics)

This figure shows that the agricultural land use in India for the period 1950-51 and 2014-15.
The net sown area was 42% for the year 1950-51 and 46% for the year 2014-15, which shows that
the cultivatable land has increased by 4% in the past 64 years which is a very less amount compared
to other developed countries.

Strong demand pull

The population of India is equivalent to 17.7% of the total world population. India ranks number 2 in
the list of countries (and dependencies) by population.
A growing population is the main demand driver for agricultural products in the country. India, the
second-most populous More than 1,280 million people in the world must consume food, feed, and
fiber. During the fiscal year 2016, India's population is approximately 1.29 billion and by the year
2021, it will reach 1.39 billion. It demonstrates the growing need for agricultural commodities among
them and the entire ecosystem needed to support agricultural development.
Strong growth in per capita income resulted in higher demand for agricultural produce. GDP per
capita of India it is projected to increase from 2,135 USD in 2018 to 2,762 USD in 2021.

Page 11
Figure-2 Comparative analysis of population growth with per capita GDP

1450 3000

1400 2500

1350 2000

1300 1500

1250 1000

1200 500

1150 0
FY 12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY21

Population(in mn) GDP per Capita(US $)

(Source: Census of India 2011, World Population Statistics, TechSci Research, International

Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database (April 2018) and PwC analysis)
It is noteworthy that the population is expected to increase at a CAGR of 2% from 2016–21,
whereas during the same period, the per capita GDP is expected to rise at a CAGR of 12%.
Therefore, the higher propensity to expand, invest and buy will further support the overall sectoral
growth.

Annual rate of growth in agriculture was less than 2.5 per cent in 9th and 10 five year plan.In spite
of several initiatives like building irrigation facilities, extension services, land reforms, credit and
marketing support taken by the central and state governments to revive the agriculture sector, it
only grew at 3.7 per cent during the 11th Five Year Plan. Still it is very important sector for the
economic development of any country. It must provide food for domestic consumption as well as
produce surplus for generation of additional earnings.

Increasing population and per capita incomes are increasing the demand for food and processed
goods. Foodgrains demand is projected to increase from 192 million tonnes in 2000 to 345 million
tonnes In 2030. Therefore, the production of food grains needs to increase to 5.5 million tonnes
over the next 20 years.

Figure 3- Rise in the demand for food and processed commodities.

400
300
200
100
0
s ls t ce t sh s s il k ns
l se a he
a
Ri ea Fi Eg
g i ts le ai
Pu re M fru ab M
gr
Ce W
g e t
od
Ve Fo
2000 2030
(Source: Vision 2030, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi)

Page 12
These commodities are all perishable ones and require different infrastructure for handling, value
addition, processing and marketing. This is a challenge as well as an opportunity. For research and
development, the key challenges would be (i) to develop promising technologies and management
options to raise productivity to meet the growing food demand in a situation of deteriorating
production environment at the lowest cost; and (ii) to develop appropriate technologies, create
required infrastructure, and to evolve institutional arrangements for production, post-harvest and
marketing of high-value and perishable commodities and their value-added products.

1.3 EMERGING TRENDS IN INDIAN AGRICULTURE AND FUTURE

OUTLOOK

Indian agriculture: The current state of the economy and major trends in agriculture play an
important role. More than 58% of rural households depend on agriculture as their main livelihood.
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries gross value added (GVA) is estimated at $ 17.67 trillion ($
274.23 billion) in fiscal year’18. Agriculture and allied sectors GVA at constant 2011-12 increased
at a CAGR of 2.75% between fiscal year 2012-18. Reflecting its immense importance in the
national socio-economic context, the Union Budget 2018-19 allocated Rs 57,600 crore (US $ 8.9
billion) to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare. Given the current situation and few
projections, India is under the threshold of growing domestic agricultural production and input
demand, supported by high disposable incomes in the Socio-Economic Class (SEC) and significant
technological improvements in farming practices.
India’s food grain production has been increasing every year, and it is among the top producers of
several crops such as wheat, rice, pulses, sugarcane and cotton. According to the Ministry of
Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, the total foodgrain production in the country in FY17–18 stood at
around 284 million tonnes and by the year 2050, the annual foodgrain production would need to
grow to 333 million tonnes. Since 2011-12, pulse production has increased with a CAGR of 8%.
Production of horticultural crops is estimated at 307 million tonnes, with a CAGR of 4% between
FY11–12 to FY17–18. India ranks second in global production of fruits and vegetables and is a
leading exporter of mangoes and bananas.

Page 13
Figure 4 Existing status and some projections for the Indian agriculture and allied sector

Current Global position

1.

India produces the highest number of spices, pulses, milk, tea, cashew
nuts and jute; And the second largest producer of wheat, rice, fruits
and vegetables, sugarcane, cotton and oilseeds.
• India is currently the fourth largest producer in the world in
agrochemicals Increasing Consumption
India has the largest livestock population of 512 million.

Consumer spending in India is projected to reach $ 3.6

trillion by 2020.
Final private end-user spending (at constant prices)
increased 6.1% in 2017-18 and 8.6% in April-June quater
2018-19
Conducive Atmosphere

India has the 10th largest agricultural land resources in the world. With
15 agro-climatic zones, India has 15 major climates in the world. The
country also places 46 of the 60 types of soil in the world. Agriculture
and allied sectors wise gross value added (GVA) is estimated at 3% in
2017-18.
The strategic geographical location and proximity to food importing Record Foodgrain Production
countries favor India in terms of export of processed foods.

Foodgrains production recorded a record 284.83 million

tonnes in the 2017-18 crop year. The Government of India
aims to produce 285.2 million tonnes of foodgrains in
2018-19.
Farm Mechanisation & ICT’s

India is one of the manufacturers of agricultural implements such as tractors, harvesters

and tillers. India accounts for one-third of all tractor production worldwide.
Tractor sales in the Y country are expected to increase from 11 to 13% in FY19, while the
tractor industry is expected to grow 8-10% between FY17-22. ICT is moving towards
bridging gap between bharat and India

Source : Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, MOSPI, GoI, and industry estimates, PwC

Page 14
 195 201 201
  0- 1960- 1970- 1980- 1990- 2000- 2010- 2011- 2012- 2013- 4- 5- 2016- 2017-
Crop 51 61 71 81 91 1 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18*
-1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12 -13 -14 -15
30.8 44.1
Rice 1 34.13 37.59 40.15 42.69 44.71 42.86 44.01 42.75 44.14 1 43.5 43.99 43.79
31.4 30.4
Wheat 9.75 12.93 18.24 22.28 24.17 25.73 29.07 29.86 30 30.47 7 2 30.79 29.58

Nutri 37.6 25.1 24.3

Cereals 7 44.96 45.95 41.78 36.32 30.26 28.34 26.42 24.76 25.22 7 9 25.01 24.21
19.0 23.5 24.9
Pulses 9 23.56 22.54 22.46 24.66 20.35 26.4 24.46 23.26 25.21 5 1 29.45 29.99

Foodgrai 97.3 115.5 124.3 126.6 127.8 121.0 126.6 124.7 120.7 125.0 124. 123. 129.2 127.5
ns 2 8 2 7 4 5 7 5 8 4 3 2 3 6
10.7 26.0
Oilseeds 3 13.77 16.64 17.6 24.15 22.77 27.22 26.31 26.48 28.05 25.6 9 26.18 24.65

Sug
arcane 1.71 2.42 2.62 2.67 3.69 4.32 4.88 5.04 5 4.99 5.07 4.93 4.44 4.73
12.8 12.2
Cotton 5.88 7.61 7.61 7.82 7.44 8.53 11.24 12.18 11.98 11.96 2 9 10.83 12.43

Jute
& Mesta 0.57 0.9 1.08 1.3 1.02 1.02 0.87 0.9 0.86 0.83 0.81 0.78 0.76 0.74
Key areas of concern in agricultural landscape

1. Scattered and lower landholdings

Indian farmers are divided and little; broadly, more than 70% are less than 1 ha, whereas the
national normal land holding is less than 2 ha, coming about in altogether agri farm yields. In
Europe and the US, normal sizes are 30 times and 150 times those in India. Due to the are less
than development of the populace and break-down of the joint family framework, the
persistent subdivision of rural arrives into littler and littler plots has happened. Additionally,
most possessions are little and uneconomic. So, the preferences of large-scale cultivating
cannot be inferred, and fetched per unit with ‘uneconomic’ property is tall and yield per
hectare is moo. As a result, agriculturists cannot create adequate attractive excess. Hence,
they are not as it were destitute but, in numerous cases, are in obligation. In this manner, the
expanding request for Agri yields requires support for the accumulation of cultivating
operations for expanded and maintained efficiency. Such conglomeration can either be
accomplished through the physical accumulation of ranches or amassing operation through
cooperative/community cultivating or creation of agriculturist teach such as Farmers Producer
Organization (FPOs) or Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs).

Table 1: Year-wise Area under major crops

(Source: Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare)

This table shows that there hasn’t been any major increase in land holdings from the year 1950-2018 for
the major crop production.

Page 15
2. Dismal processing percentage and supply chain infrastructure

On the supply side, India presents plenteous sources of crude fabric to meet the requests of the
nourishment handling industry. The production preferences are colossal; be that as it may, the level
of preparing for perishables proceeds to be exceptionally minuscule at around 10% and indeed
lower for natural products and vegetables (~2%). On the other hand, the level of wastage of Agri
create is exceptionally tall and is assessed at over 15 billion yearly due to the broken down supply
chain organize. Warehousing and supply chain capacity in India has not kept pace with the
generation and acquirement increment. The government buys grains from agriculturists but does not
have satisfactory space to store them. The dominance of go-betweens and operators in Indian
agribusiness renders the farmers and cultivating circumstances, still more regrettable. Agriculturist
needs on the demand-side are controlled by agents and operators who possess the divided supply
chains. They indeed control the create estimating.

3. Lower productivity limiting per unit yields for growers

Broadly, India registers critical levels of generation, but the rural surrender is lower than that of
other expansive creating nations and from the world midpoints. The commitment rate of key
nourishment grains in real estate terms is 15%, but the generation commitment is as it was 8.7%,
which demonstrates efficiency burdens. The efficiency issue in farming could be a perfection of
different issues in agribusiness and may be watched as a connected issue instead of an essential one.
A few of the issues are the need for guaranteed water system facilities, institutional credit,
occupancy issues, and accessible advances in farming are a couple of. The display underneath
clarifies the existing circumstance of Indian efficiency vis-à-vis the worldwide situation.

4. Limited last mile delivery of products and services in agriculture

In India, farmers may not be mindful of all the plans that are executed by the Central Government
and state governments for their welfare. The existing stage at the panchayat/Common Benefit
Centre/Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK)—that is, the Farm Science Centre/Department of
Agribusiness level-seems restricted in making accessible essential items and administrations to the
genuine recipient. This information, advanced and physical separate not as it led to advertising
twists but moreover item mutilations and slippages, driving to different misfortunes to farming. In
such a circumstance, where we have a promising large scale essential within the division, but the
enablers and catalyzing flashes are lost, we require a section of troublesome advances/ enablers who
can leverage technology driving to extend inefficiency, proficiency, and yield. Agri technology
start-ups can be such an important arrangement across the agrarian esteem chain and can be within
the frame of an item, a benefit or an application.

There are various other problems of Indian agriculture:-

These are related to:

(i) The systems and techniques of farming,

(ii) The marketing of agricultural products and

Page 16
(iii) The indebtedness of the farmers.

These problems may now be discussed separately:

(i) The Systems and Techniques of Farming:

(a) Neglect of crop rotation:
Successful operation of agricultural operations depends on proper rotation of the crop - if the grain
is planted in a land, its fertility will be reduced somewhat. It can be restored if other crops, such as
pulses, are planted on a rotating basis in one place. Most farmers in India are illiterate and do not
understand this important issue. Since they are unaware of the need to rotate the crop, they use the
same crop and as a result the land can significantly reduce their fertility.

(b) Inadequate use of manures and fertilizers:

Inadequate use of cow manure or vegetable shelter and chemical fertilizers make Indian agriculture
far less productive than Japanese or Chinese agriculture.

(c) The use of poor quality seeds:

In India, improved varieties of seeds are not used much. Major grains (rice, millet and pulses) are
still planted mainly with irrigation seeds.

(d) Inadequate water supply:

Farmers also suffer from lack of irrigation facilities. In addition, regular varieties of seeds can be
turned into good varieties if the waiter is assured of supply. The construction of local irrigation
small irrigation works is immediate and stressful. In fact, the total water capacity in the country is
sufficient to irrigate the entire area under cultivation. However, the current problem is one of
finding cheap and easy ways to use this vast water supply.

(e) Inadequate use of efficient farm equipment:

In most parts of India, farming is still primitive. Many farmers continue to use local plow and other
materials. However, this problem is not one of the drawbacks of modern machines. The real
problem is that farming units are too small to allow the use of such machines.

(ii) Agricultural Marketing:

The main reason for low income of Indian farmers is the difficulty in selling their crops. Due to the
small size and dispersal nature of farm holdings, productivity per acre is low. Consequently, this
surplus collection presents a serious problem for marketing purpose.Agricultural marketing
problems arise due to a lack of communication, linking manufacturing centers with urban areas.
The difficulty of communication prevents the farmer from marketing his products. Therefore, he
has to rely on many intermediaries (intermediaries) to dispose of his crops at a lower cost.

(iii) Agricultural Credit:

The average Indian farmer is almost always in debt. The farmer is a permanent borrower.After a
farmer falls; he is in debt due to crop failure or low prices of crops or a vicious cycle of

Page 17
moneylenders. In fact, most of the responsibilities of farmers are 'ancestral. Thus, he gives his
property, with his property, to his heirs.

There are four main causes of rural indebtedness:

(A) Low income power of the borrower

(B) the use of credit for non-productive purposes

(C) The high interest rate that moneylenders charge

(D) Manipulation of accounts by creditors

(E) Agricultural Price:

To increase food production, the government will ensure that farmers have adequate incentives
from time to time to fix the prices of food grains. In India, the bumper crop leads to a decline in the
income of farmers.

Need for price stabilization:

Considering the increasing and fluctuating trends in farm prices, there is a need to stabilize farm
commodity prices. Price fluctuations in both directions can lead to disaster as both rising and falling
prices have detrimental consequences. The Agricultural Pricing Commission (now known as the
Agricultural Costs and Prices Commission) takes a number of factors such as the minimum support
price (MSP) and purchase price (PP).

In recent years while the well-to-do farmers have benefitted from the hikes in support prices, small
and marginal farmers, faced with difficulties in the matter of credit and obtaining the right type of
inputs, have been in trouble. Paradoxically two years of an upswing in agriculture (1999-2000) have
led to a sharp fall in prices and added to the distress of farmers in most parts of the country. At the
same time, an unprecedented pile-up of procured food-grains held by State agencies totaling over
50 million tones has added to the burdens on the budget.

Given the low off-take in the public distribution system (PDS), accumulation of food-stocks is
resulting in a large burden of food subsidy. The low off-take in PDS is due to the fact that market
prices are lower and supplies are plentiful. The Government has also not been able to utilize any
large volume of surplus stocks in food-for-Work programs in drought areas.

Truly speaking, if agriculture is to be a viable long-term economic base for the farming community,
it is important to recognize that the farmers’ interests are better served by a more efficient system of
production, rather than high prices. Planners should take note of this point.

1.4 FACTORS RELATING TO THE ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGIES

Page 18
Farmers in India confront common challenges of drought season, flood, deforestation and
characteristic calamities due to vast geographical incongruities along with infrastructural
challenges. Farmers' bartering control isn't solid as they pay huge costs for input and are not able to
offer their products in the market at high costs which come about in by huge loss in net earnings of
farmers. In the current era of technological development and technologies, Information and
communication technology have the control of changing the state of agribusiness in India. The rural
populace is largely dependent on agribusiness since of shortage of alternative employment
prospects, which makes the current study about the strategic significance

Factors related to the adoption of technology have been influenced by the development,
distribution, and application of agricultural present and new biological, chemical and mechanical
processes, which are incorporated into agricultural capital and other inputs. The choice of
technologies for sustainable farming systems and other agricultural sectors is a challenging and
pressing issue for farmers, extension administrations, agricultural commerce, and policymakers.
The Department of Agriculture must use extensive development and agroforestry on a wide variety
of agricultural frameworks and structures, to meet the changing and soliciting demands from
consumers and the public, for food, fibre, and other goods and services. Such results are often seen
in terms of their effects on stability. Farmers & agricultural laborers need to get a satisfactory
understanding of how technology can be used to deliver farm production. Factors such as
technology and demand for farmers have increased in the adoption of advances. Farmers have
consistently seen modern technology as a way to cut costs. Besides, high pay, increased knowledge,
and ways of communication pioneer consumers to demand high-quality food at low cost, which is
eventually produced by organic farming in many countries, with greater classification, continuity,
and year-round reach. At the same time, consumers are regularly demanding to produce food in
such a way that conserves natural resources, avoid the environmental burden, and pays more
attention to rural practicality and animal welfare. These varied demands of consumers are reflected
in the policy and are conveyed to the farmers through the media, pressure groups, food retailers and
processors. Government intervention is an important factor that has a large emphasis on technology
development. Government policy ranges from the facilitator to the mandatory part and includes the
instruments, legal limits, data and support to raise and apply funds for the proceedings. Also,
identifying the overall structure of the farming system and the level of support may be the
fundamental factor in defining which technologies are adopted at which locations at the farm level.

The main focus of research and suggestion is to maximize profit and efficiency. Emphasis is made
to meet those goals in an economic way which infers the utilization of technologies and changing
agricultural practices. The Technologies used in the agricultural sector are not consistently clear in
terms of productivity and profitability. A study has been conducted to decide the technology that
would be advantageous for expanding production. These include Biological Pest Control,
Biotechnology, Information technology, Bioremediation, Precision Farming, Integrated, and
Organic Farming.
 
There has been an improvement of advances within the worldwide market and connected at the
cultivation level but affect sustainability beyond the cultivation. Both routine and more up to date
technologies, in specific related to biotechnology, data, and precision cultivating procedures, are
widespread businesses. The distribution of those technologies is regularly inside the national
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market, but their utility is nearby. In any case, the impacts on the supportability of farm-level
appropriation spread past the cultivation. With more vertical integration, either through formal
possession structures or contractual relations along the total nourishment chain, resolutions on the
adoption of advances at the farm level regularly cannot be withdrawn from the decisions taken
elsewhere within the nourishment chain. Appropriation of technologies is multidisciplinary, taking
into consideration the targets related to maintainable farming.
The adoption of technologies includes instability and trade-offs. To generate sustainability, the
technology must contribute to a financially effective farm segment, financial practicality of the
farmers and improving environmental performance. Technological developments are advancing at a
quick pace and information on the costs and benefits of adopting technologies in agribusiness is
often inadequate. Hence, the determinations on technology adoption are made in a climate of
vagueness with a huge component of trial and error in its application, and the speediness and
amount of adoption vary discernibly among farmers. This could have critical implications as to the
structure of the farmers and the number of farmers that can secure their financial positions in the
future.

Research and Development initiatives focus on better education and training of farmers quick and
inexpensive ways to guide, distribute and share access to information, financial resources, pressures
from consumers, NGOs, the media and the public generally contributes to the implementation of
sustainable Farm Technologies. Many policies, including related to agriculture, environment and
research growth offers a combination of concessions and incentives to adopt the technology.
Environmental policies gradually hinder farmers' action regulations, animal welfare standards, and
public health policies. 
The farmers got to have suitable training and education to make use of technologies and farm
practices. The farmers will make an investment when they are guaranteed, they will generate profit.
Agricultural policies can alter the prices that farmers are confronting for inputs and yields, which in
turn will influence their decisions on investment and can lead to unmanageable farming practices.
Where the environment benefits from employing sustainable technologies are not anticipated to
accumulate to farmers, but individuals outside the rural division, and where there are no markets for
the benefits, levels of adoption could be sub-optimal from a societal viewpoint. Similarly, where the
costs of environmental effects in present farming practices are paid by other segments, farmers will
have no motivating force to implement environmentally economical advances.

The impact of farm technologies was evaluated based on few, regularly clear and quantifiable
criteria i.e production, productivity, farm earnings, employment, and trade. Assessing sustainability
is more multifaceted, when natural, social and moral contemplations are taken into consideration. It
is frequently not clear, what connections are between the different components of sustainability,
what ought to and can be measured, and how the results are to be understood, so that farmers,
policymakers, and other partners can recognize with rational certainty, which sustainable
technologies work, which systems can best facilitate their distribution and usage in completely
different conditions, and at what costs and benefits

1.5 APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY TO RAISE FARM PRODUCTIVITY

Subsidies from agriculture and agriculture subsidies in India are increasing revenues, but there is a

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real need to use digital and other technologies to increase agricultural productivity and address the
effects of rising climate change. Technologies for remote sensing (via satellites), GIS, crop and soil
health monitoring, and livestock and farm management are common. In fact, the Fourth Industrial
Revolution has opened up opportunities for technological change in many fields since a decade ago.
Digital technology directs crop and input selection, facilitates credit and insurance, and provides
weather advisory and disease- and pest-related assistance as well as real-time data in domestic and
export markets. Competitive markets and the steady demand for food quality are adopting the
technology-based solutions needed by the Indian farmer. However, there is not much scope for
application and innovation.
ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and applications aimed at empowerment,
efficiency and market expansion are ubiquitous. E-Chaupal mimics an efficient supply chain
system, providing farmers with timely and relevant information, enabling better returns for their
products. Along with a community-centered approach, it also provides a form of agricultural
insurance and farm management. The Prime Minister stressed that IT-enabled citizens can improve
e-governance transparency and governance and generate them with information.
Agricultural conservation principles of minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and crop
rotation, which are widely practiced around the world, cover only about 1.5 million hectares of
cultivation. With over 75 million hectares of cultivation with rice and wheat, the challenges of
scaling are enormous. Soil testing can be performed using computerized network testing equipment
with an efficient extension.

1.6 IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY

Farmers nevermore need to apply water, manures, and pesticides consistently across whole fields.
Rather, they can utilize the base amounts required and target quite certain zones, or even
unexpectedly treat singular plants. Advantages include: 
 Higher yield efficiency 
 Diminished utilization of water, compost, and pesticides, which thus keeps nourishment costs
down.
 Effect on the environment is reduced 
 Less overflow of synthetic compounds into streams and groundwater 
 Increased workers security 

Moreover, automated technologies allow progressively reliable checking and the management of
regular assets, for example, air and water quality. It additionally gives producers more noteworthy
command over plant and animal production, handling, dissemination, and storage, which results in: 
 More prominent efficiencies and lower costs 
 More secure developing conditions and more secure foods
 Decreased natural and ecological effect

1.7 RATIONALE OF STUDY

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Agriculture sector plays a very important role in providing employment and food production. In
India, a large proportion of population depends on agriculture and agriculture related activities.
Economic growth of India largely depends on development of agriculture. Over a period of time
extensive use of technology has led to growth in agriculture production all over the world. India is
also benefited from technological infusion in agriculture.

With this regard, researcher proposes to develop a specific analysis taking into account economic
impact of technological infusion in agricultural operations due to adoption and effective usage of
technologies and ICTs, Its implementation and the future scope so that it will inturn provide
competitive advantage and help in competing with other developed countries, fulfill the growing
demand, increase production level, increase the export capacity etc.

1.8 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The present study is undertaken with the following specific objectives:

1. To identify various technological aspects & Role of ICT’s in Indian agriculture
2. To study the infusion of technology in Indian agriculture to the rate of change in agricultural
Growth wrt productivity.
3. To study the Trends, Issues, and Challenges with the status of effective usage of technology
& ICTs in the agricultural sector.

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 Chapter II
Understanding Concept of ICTs
and technology: Methods,
Trends, issues and Opportunity

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2.1 ICT IN AGRICULTURE
ICTs are those technologies that can be used to integrate information technology such as personal
computers and telecommunications technologies such as phones and telecommunications. A PC
and laptop with email and the Internet provide an excellent example. Michiels and Van Crowder
(2001) described electronic technologies in which integrated innovation is flexible, adaptable,
empowering and has the potential to transform organizations and redefine social relations. The
scope of technology is constantly expanding and 'there is an overlap between new technologies and
mainstream media' (Michiels and Van Crowder, 2001: 8). This rapid and continuous integration
means that devices such as digital cameras, digital video cameras and players, digital assistants,
slide projectors and mobile phones are compatible with many traditional media such as radio,
satellite, television (cable, digital, satellite). So many devices can now be linked to others to share
and exchange information and allow it to be used in such a way that they too can be classified as
ICTs. Even books are being introduced to ICTs through the power of informal or formal digital
publications by selected readers or 'e-books'. ICTs are, therefore, an increasing assembly of
technologies used to collect, store and share data between people using multiple devices and media.
The global population is expected to exceed the 9 billion mark by 2050, and agricultural output will
need to rise 60 percent from its 2005/2007 levels to meet this increased food demand. ICT
applications can make an important contribution to meet these future global food needs.
Information and Communication Technology can do this by collecting and sharing timely and
accurate information on weather, inputs, markets and pricing; Providing information on research
and development programs; disseminating information to farmers; by connecting manufacturers and
consumers, and in many other ways.

2.2 MAJOR COMPONENTS USED FOR ICT INITIATIVES IN INDIA

Major components which are used in our country for providing ICT services to the farmers are web
portals, mobile applications on android phone, SMS and voice messages on simple phones,
information kiosks, videos and video conferencing with the experts. Agriculture experts are the key
component in the whole process of disseminating information to the farmers.

Fig 5: Components of ICTs initiatives in India

(Source:Singh et al., Orient. J. Comp. Sci. & Technol., Vol. 10(3), 691-697 (2017)

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2.3 ROLE OF ICTs IN AGRICULTURE

Fig 6: Role of ICTs in agriculture

(Source: FAO-ITU E-agriculture strategy guide)

Already, in the agricultural and food sector in many countries, ICT companies, multi-farm
enterprises, large equipment manufacturers, but also small and medium-scale farm suppliers
provide a wide range of services to farmers through ICTs, including extension advice. Downstream,
supermarkets and consumers of agricultural products also engage in something more expensive than
ICTs, where technology is used and in collaboration with farmers, international organizations, civil
society and government to provide information on many aspects of agriculture, including
regulation. In many cases, ICTs make an important part not only of information flow, but of actual
farming operations and food processing from soil analysis on a farm using 3D printers to process
food.
However, the digital divide between developing and developed countries is less clear than in
agriculture. In the developing world, rural communities are at great risk of accessing this
information.
When they farm their land, small landowners are economists who make their decisions using all the
information available to them. Based on this information, they choose what to plant, what to use
and how, when to plant, seed, harvest; how much should be saved for housekeeping and how much
to sell to raise money, or how much to keep. Usually they make their decisions in a bad economic
environment where markets are not working well, and little information is available to inform them
in time about their decisions. As a result, their decisions sometimes go wrong. ICTs can play an
important role in shaping this critical information and knowledge gap.

2.4 TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION IN AGRICULTURE

Technological integration in agriculture can be introduced in two parts:

(a)Land augmenting technological change (b) Labor augmenting technological change

The level of labor input in agriculture varies across crops, genders, regions and is determined by

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many other factors such as intensive use of inputs, planting pattern, farm size, irrigation, technology
and equipment. The question of agricultural machinery has to do with the use of machinery such as
tractors, threshing, harnessing etc. But the fact that these machines reduce labor hours and labor
costs (both human and animal), lowers the cost of the production company and provides accurate
technology. The repair also improves the durability of the growth, the working time and ultimately
improves the productivity and productivity of agriculture. This leads to numerous employment
opportunities not only in the agricultural sector but also in the higher and higher levels of
production, distribution, distribution, repair and repair.

Labor augmenting technological-that is, the acceleration of agricultural machinery, such as the
introduction of harvesters including harvesters. This is associated with the introduction of
agricultural inclusion and agricultural activities. Package method that includes without exception
the high diversity of seed planting, fertilizer, inputs, weeds, water supply control, tractors etc.

Land augmenting technological.-It includes a wide variety of seeds, fertilizers, plant protection
and irrigation methods, which maximize crop growth and crop protection - and, therefore, produce a
lot of work in agriculture.

2.5 TYPES OF TECHNOLOGIES

Technology is usually divided into three types, these are software, Hardware and org-ware. In
understanding the use of technology in the field of agriculture, it is important to understand the
differences between these types of technologies and their interconnectedness and relevance.
Hardware means physical tools, software refers to the process, skills, knowledge and experience
required for the use of technology and org-ware means the technology of the organization, referring
to the ownership and systems of the technology-related institutions. In the field of agriculture,
hardware is expressed in a variety of crops, software in agricultural practices or research in new
types of farming and org-ware, by local institutions that facilitate the use of agricultural technology.
Hard and soft technologies are often introduced on their own, it has been recognized that their
simultaneous org-ware is essential for achieving adaptation.

An example of a technology that has used all three technologies can be found in the adoption of
water harvesting technologies. In the early 1980s, farmers found ways to revive the arable land by
improving soil quality. This is done by making small holes in the ground, where the farmers apply a
small amount of manure, planting fertilizer and frog. This process is done in traditional planting
pits. In these mines, water and nutrients are synthesized in the exact order where they are needed
and stored for long periods of time. This helps plants to survive better than dry purple and to restore
degraded soil. Seeds or trees planted in pits can be considered to be hardware. Methods of mining
and improving crop yields can be considered as software, with the farmer attending farm schools
used to inform other farmers in each region referred to as org-ware.

In order to lead to the growth and development of the agricultural sector, it is important to use all
kinds of technologies. The area in question is, the complex technology or Hardware is often
prioritized and used alone. When farmers use this technology, it is important, they should know it
correctly and use it properly. It is responsible for the development of training centers, which
provide information and information to farmers, how to use technology to produce produce and
generate profits. There is a need for encouragement and assistance within countries to implement,
all three types of technology in a supportive way. It is imperative to ensure, implementing
sustainable in agriculture sector.

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Technologies used in the Agricultural Sector
The main aim of using technology in the agricultural sector is to lead to increased productivity, to
provide sufficient food for the people. Various technologies have been predicted as follows:

Biotechnology - The use of biotechnological tools in agriculture can make food crops more
productive and more efficient for biotic and abiotic problems. This can reduce and increase food
packs, which are important in the context of increased food demand, climate change and land and
water scarcity. In 2012, 170 million hectares, with over 17 million farmers in 12 percent of the
arable land were planted with well-adapted crops such as beans, corn, cotton, and canola, but most
of these crops were primarily cultivated for direct use. In India, genetically modified cotton,
biotechnology cotton was first sold in 2002 and in 2012, over seven million farmers adopted the
technology at 10.8 million, equivalent to 93 percent of the country's total cotton. Cotton
biotechnology has dramatically increased the profitability of farmers and at the same time reduced
the use of medicinal pesticides in this plant significantly. The introduction of biotechnology has
reduced food insecurity by 15 to 20 percent among Indian cotton growers.

Nanotechnology - Nanotechnology can be used in agriculture in many ways. It can help promote
soil fertility and a balanced crop diet, effectively control weeds, improve seed output using carbon
nanotubes, agricultural chemical delivery, field understanding systems to consider environmental
and plant stresses and improve plant characteristics to combat environmental stress and disease.
Nanotechnology facilitates seamless possibilities for new products and applications for agriculture,
water treatment, food production, processing, storage and packaging. Its use can provide great
benefits to farmers, the food industry and consumers alike. Nanotechnology-based food products
and health food products and food packaging products are available to consumers in other regions
and other products and uses are available in the research and development phase. Nanotechnology
plays a major role in food market evolution. Nanoparticles such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and
magnesium oxide, and their combinations, when activated can kill small organisms and are cheaper
and safer to use than metal-based nanoparticles.

Protected Plantation - Protected planting or heat-tolerant planting is an area where the cultivation
of the cultivars of the cultivars has been appropriately and quantitatively improved. In India, the
protected area under cultivation is currently 25,000 hectares. While the area of green vegetable
farming is killing 2000 acres. Having land restrictions, rapid urbanization, declining crop
production, declining biodiversity and increasing population, the need for food, especially
vegetables, has grown through many agricultural and protected areas. These materials have
provided a new feature for over-production in a limited area. Poly-houses can also be used to
harvest rainwater. Annual orders for the 175-square-foot house are set at 52,000 liters. The average
annual demand for a six-month crop is 26,000 liters of water. In a region with an annual rainfall of
400 mm, rain water falls on the roof of a 70,000-square-foot upper house. By taking an accumulated
output of 80 percent, 56,000 liters of rainwater can be harvested, itself is more than the annual
demand.

Agricultural Mechanization - India has the largest share of labor (55%) with little contribution to
farm use (40%). Delaying farming techniques leads to an increase in farmers' poverty. One of the
largest blocks of agricultural development in India is approximately 138 million sites, larger than
the average of only two to three percent of permanent residents in the United States. Mechanization
and use of modern gadgets, machinery, machinery and tools to complete timely and efficient
agricultural operations is one of the most important factors in increasing productivity. Smaller
machines, suitable for agricultural activities in the hills and mountains will enhance aid in working

Page 27
with farm income. Working with farm equipment will help to improve the production of these at a
lower cost. Farm equipment repairs can help save 15 to 20 percent, 15 to 20 percent savings on
fertilizers, 5% to 20% last on time, 20 to 30 percent on manual labor and 10 to 15. percent increase
in total farm production.

Use of Modern Irrigation Systems - Water availability is considered to be an important part of

increasing agricultural productivity. In India, about 78 percent of the water is used in the
agricultural sector and the remainder is made, used for industry, drinking and other purposes.
Therefore, it is important to increase the reservoirs. Dry dry agriculture should be the main focus, as
more than 60 percent of the area is cultivated across the country without proper irrigation systems.
Water use efficiency under conventional irrigation floodplains, carried out mainly in Indian
agriculture, is very low due to high transmission and loss of distribution. In view of the rapid
decline in the demand for irrigation water and the increasing demand for water in various sectors,
numerous strategies and plans have been developed to conserve water and increase the water
efficiency of Indian agriculture. Irrigation is crucial to the global supply of food as 18 percent of the
farm's productive land produces 40 percent of the world's food supply. Less than 4% of the irrigated
land has small irrigation systems.

Modern Technology Transfer Tools - Technological transfer of agriculture needs to emphasize

greater participation in the various stages of the plant from seed sowing, crop protection, harvesting,
and post-harvest to commercial management. Technology transfer requires active groups such as
Self Help Groups and Farmer Classes, which should be tools for disseminating information on
various government-funded programs. These structures will help to collaborate with various
government departments on development activities. As a central government it has a desirable plan
to connect the entire Gram Panchayat of the world with internet services. These Gram Panchayats
are supposed to be a technology transfer technology for farmers. Internet and traditional telephones
are important tools for transferring information to new, advanced agricultural methods and
technologies in the agricultural sector. These tools can be useful for the dissemination of climate
data, agricultural climatic conditions, and the latest information on agricultural prices for farmers.
Krish Vighyan Kendras (KVKs) have been established in each region of the country and now these
are the pillars of technological distribution in the country.

Advanced Agricultural Technologies used in the Present Existence

Advanced agricultural technologies used in the present existence have been stated as follows:
Autopilot Tractors: GPS Tractors, integrators, sprays and more can drive accurately on the field.
After the user tells the on-board computer system how much machinery a line has been assigned, he
or she will call a short distance pointing points A and B to make the line. Then the GPS system will
have a track to follow and exits that line along parallel lines set aside for the width of the instrument
being used. These systems are able to track curved lines as well. The tractor system is tied to the
station, helping to keep it in line.

Swath Control and Rate Technology Flexibility: Building on GPS technology is swath control
and rate technology (VRT). This is where the direction begins to show a refund. The farmer
controls the size of the swimming pool, the piece of equipment provided takes the field. This point
is a re-evaluation of the swath control functionality. The savings come from the use of a few inputs
such as seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, etc. Thus the size and size of the
asymmetrical fields, one is bound to skip to a certain extent in all applications.

Telematics: This technology is a tool for communicating with farmers, vendors and other
machines. When a person has to suspend a job, due to a specific issue within the equipments, via

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telematics, an agreement may be entered into the on-board tractor identification system. On the
basis of the problem, the equipment can be repaired directly from the dealer. In this way, the
farmers return to work and their time to visit the merchant is saved. Farmers are able to track field
equipment, fuel consumption, working hours and much more. This technology also facilitates
communication between tractors.

Livestock: Pets have been instrumental in producing high quality agricultural produce. Therefore, it
is important to take care of their needs. Collars developed for livestock help individuals follow their
herd. The sensors on the corner send information to Rancher's smartphone giving headlines where
his cows might be, or maybe they're in some trouble. People are able to follow what situations and
their servants are in. It is a telematics type of herd. In rural areas, raising livestock is an important
area and where farmers and agricultural workers carry out their duties, it is important to follow the
livestock.

Mobile Technology: In the modern era, the use of mobile technology has produced on a large
scale. It plays an important role in monitoring and controlling crop irrigation systems. By using the
right equipment, the farmer is able to control his irrigation systems, instead of driving in each field.
Mobiles and computers assist these processes to a great extent. Soil-based methods are able to
convey information about the levels of moisture found in the soil. This leads to more control over
water and other inputs such as fertilizer use, insecticides, pesticides used by irrigation pivots.
Crop Production: In order to improve crop production, there are many areas that need to be
considered. Farmers need to ensure that the seeds, implements and other equipment are of the right
quality, function and functionality and have the necessary skills and skills. They need to have
sufficient knowledge and awareness of the proper use of technology. Climate change is a necessary
way to create a suitable agricultural environment. With the creation of favorable agricultural
climate, it leads to an increase in production. In order for this technology to be successful, it
requires long-term application.

Field Documents: On-board monitors and GPS methods, fruit recording capabilities, application
rates, and farming practices are becoming more and more manageable every year. In fact, farmers
are so familiar with the concepts, when they have valuable and useful data, that it can be difficult to
figure out how to use them effectively. As harvesting equipment travels through the garden, it
calculates yield and recreation, because it continues to tie it through GPS coordinates. When done,
the print takes place on a field map and is often referred to as heat maps.

Biotechnology: Biotech or genetic engineering (GE) is not a new technique, but is an important
tool with many potential, yet to be revealed. The type of GE most people have probably heard about
is weed control. Another possibility is that they are sensitive symptoms. The use of insecticides and
pesticides is made possible by the use of pest control. In many cases, bio-technology poisoning is
the same poison that is found in pesticides. Insecticides and pesticides should be of good quality
that crops can easily adapt to and help produce.

Climate Change: Climate change is a knowledgeable change or evolution, with the ultimate goal
of bringing about climate change. Virtual technologies are known as cloud surveillance, increasing
the likelihood of rain or snow to control local water supply. In the near future, with development,
there will be a climate intervention, a direct intervention on the climate system. The most important
technology used to combat global warming is carbon-dioxide removal and solar radiation control.

Smart Material: The term smart apparatus is used as an integrated term for materials capable of
modifying its composition by external influences, including pressure, temperature, humidity, acidity
and electrical energy. Examples of such materials include, piezoelectric or piezoele crystals, built-in

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memory metal, electric and magnetic-rheological (ER / MR) liquids, compatible polymers, color-
changing materials and light-emitting materials. The use of excellent materials has proven to be
beneficial, it is used to clean hazardous substances, to incorporate effective work, to influence the
packaging and so on.

Renewable Energy: The importance of renewable energy such as wind, wind and solar energy is
mainly made possible by the use of renewable energy. The transition to this kind of energy, requires
the electrical filling of a multitude of functions now based on fossil fuels, such as, heating and rapid
movement. Biofuels can be part of the solution, if no other final fuel is left. Renewable energy is an
important factor in the agricultural sector. There are many reasons, why the agricultural sector plays
such an important role in the generation of renewable energy.

Bio and Biofuel Analyzes: Bio Renewal aims to process bio-mass in an efficient way to use
nutrients and less pollutants. The full use of biomass does not require additional agricultural land. It
is also possible to exchange the remaining biomass flow between different value chains in order to
achieve optimal utilization and avoid competition between food, meat and fat. Biofuels are a co-
operative name for biomass fuels. It is usually not possible to replace petrol or diesel with biofuel
without changing the engine. First-generation biofuels lead to a reduction of carbon dioxide
emissions by 50% and second-generation 90%.

ICTs Initiatives and tech for agricultural in India

Approximately 45 per cent ICT projects of the whole world have been implemented in India and
also maximum number of information kiosks has been employed in rural India. Nevertheless, 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 are indicated below:-

Agrisnet
It is a comprehensive web site to disseminate relevant information to farmers, which was developed
and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. AGRISNET serves the farming
community by disseminating information and providing services through Information &
Communication Technology (ICT). It has the following objectives-
 Provide information to farmers on the quality of installation and availability.
 Disseminating information on various government programs and composting
recommendations after soil testing.
 Provide information on the latest agricultural production technologies.

Digital Green
Digital Green is an international organization, which works with a participatory approach by
engaging the local community to improve their lives through the digital platform. Self-explanatory
working videos have been prepared by farmers by developing farmers with the help of experts.
These videos are shown to farmers at the individual or group levels. Videos designed to focus on
the needs and well-being of rural people.

eSagu
The eSagu program was launched in 2004. ESagu offers solutions to the problems of farmers and
advises them not to sow to harvest. Farmers submit their farming experience in the form of digital
images and videos, which were analyzed by agricultural scientists and experts. Afterwards, they
suggest that the right things to do for farmers, even small and medium-scale farmers are to gain
from this. Technical advice is communicated to the concerned farmer within a short period of time.

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Questions for illiterate farmers are addressed with the help of educated consultants at village level.
The situation or problem of the farm is communicated to agricultural experts and relays relevant
information to farmers.

IKSL
(IFFCO Kisan) was launched in 2012. Provides relevant information and customized solutions to
affected farmers through voice messages by mobile phone. Farmers can also communicate directly
with agricultural professionals on specific topics through 'phone-in' programs.

AGMARKNET
The Agricultural Marketing Network (AGMARKNET) was started in March, 2000 by the
Department of Agriculture, Government of India with the aim of empowering decision-makers to
make decisions about selling their produce. This site is designed to expedite the agribusiness
program through the dissemination of agricultural information to the market and its prices to
producers, consumers, retailers, and policy makers in a transparent and fast manner.

IKisan
IKisan is a web-based platform for disseminating information to farmers on broader agricultural
issues such as crop cultivation, climate forecasting, availability of agricultural input and quality,
related agricultural support centers, soil quality and market renewal.

Digital Mandi
Digital Mandi is an electronic trading platform to help farmers and traders sell and acquire
agricultural products that are beyond their geographical and temporal limits. Various financial
institutions are also participating in the online sale of agricultural products to eliminate financial
hardship.

SMS Portal/mKisan Portal

This site is designed to serve farmers in three ways -
To disseminate information on the various agricultural activities,
Providing seasonal advice and
Providing various services directly to farmers through SMS in their local languages.
The SMS Portal features a platform to integrate service delivery across different sectors.
Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock and Fisheries.

Kisan Call Centers (KCCs)

The KCC Scheme was launched on 21st January 2004 to provide answer to farmers’ queries on agriculture
and allied sectors through toll free telephone lines. A country wide common eleven digit number ‘1800-180-
1551’ has been allocated for KCC. The replies to the queries of the farming community are being given in 22
local languages. KCCs operate from 21 locations in the country covering all the Sates and UTs. Calls are
attended from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm on all 7 days of a week.

AGRONXT
The AGRONXT platform is a great platform for farmers where farmers can get input, agricultural
advice, weather etc. AGRONXT is flourishing to contribute to the agricultural industry by
providing farmers with practical, reliable and timely information. Helps support agricultural
productivity and sustainability.

National Mission on Agricultural Extension & Technology (NMAET)

During 12th Five Year Plan the National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology
(NMAET) has been launched to make the extension system farmer-driven and farmer arrangement

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 of technology dissemination. NMAET has been divided into Four Sub-Mission.
1. Sub Mission on Agriculture Extension (SAME).
2. Sub Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP).
3. Sub Mission on Agriculture Machanization (SMAM).
4. Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine (SMPP). The new component will be in
the ratio 90:10 Centre and State share. An expenditure of `250.00 lakh is anticipated during
2017-18 out of State Plan

Agriculture Mechanisation
Under this scheme, new farm implements/ machines are popularized among the farmers. Testing of
new machines is also done under this programme. The department proposes to popularize small
power tillers and implements suited to hilly conditions.

Soil Testing Programme

In order to maintain the fertility of the soil during each crop season, soil samples are collected from
the farmers’ fields and analysed in the soil testing laboratories. Soil testing laboratories have been
established in all the districts (except Lahaul and Spiti), where as four mobile soil testing vans/labs
out of which one exclusively for the tribal areas is in operation for testing the soil samples at site.
These laboratories have been strengthened with latest equipments. At present 11 soil testing labs have
been strengthened and 7 mobile labs have also been setup by the department and about 1.00 lakh soil
samples are collected for soil analysis in a year. During 2015-16 and 2016-17, 69,635 Soil Samples
were analyzed and about 3.85 lakh Soil Health Cards were distributed. During 2017-18 a target of
50,000 grid soil samples has been fixed and about 48,038 soil health cards will be provided. Soil
testing programme has been adopted as Flagship programme by the Government It has been ensured
to provide Soil Health Cards to every eligible farmer by the end of 12th Plan which will help farmers
to know the soil status and nutrient requirement etc. in their fields and to adopt soil test basis
recommendations to use nutrient in their crops/ fields. The soil fertility map is being prepared by the
Chaudhari Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishav Vidyalaya Palampur by using Global
Positioning System (GPS). The State Government has also declared soil testing as public service
under H.P. Public Service Guarantee Act, 2011.

2.6 IMPACT OF THE TECHNOLOGY ON AGRICULTURAL GROWTH IN INDIA

In trying to assess the performance of the new agricultural strategy, the first thing one tends to consider is
its contribution to agricultural growth. It is therefore questioned whether introduction of the new
technology has led to any enhancement in the pace of agricultural growth in the country. To answer this
question it is necessary to compare the growth experiences of Indian agriculture since the late 1960s with
those of the 1950s and early 1960s. Estimation of growth rate of agriculture sector for any period is a
complicated problem involving various methodological issues. According to the estimates of the
Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, Government of
India ,production of all crops in India grew at an annual compounded rate of 2.64% during the entire
period from 1949-50 to 1985- 86. The annual compounded growth rate for the period from 1949—50 to
1964-65 has been given as 3.13% and the same for the period from 1967-68 to 1985-86 as 2.68%. These
figures indicate that the pace of agricultural growth has in fact slowed down to some extent instead of
having acceleration since the introduction of the new technology in Indian agriculture.

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Figure 6: Growth of agricultural sector since 1950-5 1

(Source: Accounts Statistics of India (1950- 51 to 2000-01)

Studies such as those of S.D.Sawant and Desai. and Namboodiri , examining traces of any possible
deceleration in the growth of agricultural production since the late-1960s, do not come up with any
significant positive evidence in support of the deceleration hypothesis. A closer look at the growth
experiences of the agriculture sector however indicates that sustaining the growth of agricultural
production in India probably would not have been possible after the middle of 1960s, but for the
introduction of the new technology . During the 1960s and early 1970s, it was on account of increase in
total area under cultivation that much of the agricultural, growth took place. But the scope for area
expansion to support output growth had become fairly limited by the middle of 1960s. It is the continued
increase in yield per hectare which has been primarily sustaining the growth of agricultural production
since that time. This becomes evident from the comparison of figures of growth rates of yield and area in
the two periods. The annual compounded growth rate of total area under cultivation declined from 1.61%
for the period 1949-50 to 1964-65 to 0.41% for the period 1967-68 to 1985-86, while that of yield per
hectare registered an increase from 1.30% during 1949-50 and 1964-65 to 2.03% during 1967-68 and
1985-86.

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Table 2: Foodgrains: All-India Area, Production and Yield along with coverage under Irrigation

Area - Million Hectares Production - Million Tonnes Yield - Kg./Hectare

Year Area Production Yield Under

irrigation (%)

(Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics, DAC&FW)

The relatively high rate of growth of yield, which is primarily responsible for sustaining growth of
agricultural output since the late 1970s, probably would not have been there without the improvement in
the technique of cultivation in the country during this period .Thus while the new agricultural strategy had
little success in accelerating agricultural growth in India it had prevented the possibility of any significant
downward slip in the growth rate of agricultural output after the middle of 1970s.

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Fig 7: Trend in agricultural production 1950-51 to 2013-14

The above data shows trends in agriculture production since 1950’s till 2014 in accordance to five year
plans which introduced the role of technology, green revolution, upliftment of agriculture sector and
hence from low yield to high yield production .
● In 1950’s we see the low level of production due to lack of focus on agriculture sector and use of
primitive techniques . There was the condition of technological backwardness and hence the
conditions of agriculture production remained low.
● Production of foodgrains was low in context to its demand after green revolution we see that
production of wheat which was 11.1 million tonnes in 1960s which ultimately increased to 95.9
million tonnes in 2013 and 14.
● We see that total foodgrains production was 50.8 million tonnes in 1950-51 which increase up to
264.8 million tonnes in 2013-14. During the time of LPG we see that government major focus was
on the production of manufacturing goods due to which there was a slowdown in the production of
foodgrain.
● According to our findings it has been reported that India exported $39 billion worth of agricultural
products in 2013 making it Seventh largest agricultural exporter worldwide and the Sixth largest
net exporter.
● States like Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttarpradesh are the best examples of implementing and
adoption of new technology and showing rapid growth in farm productivity which enabled India to
become self Sufficient also empowered small holder farmers to seek further means to increase
production per hectare.

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 ● Contribution of agriculture in India’s GDP is currently 17-18% and it is in the declining form but it
is not due to the use of technology but due to improper focus on agriculture and role of technology
is somehow neglected by the government’s planning structure.

Table 3: Share of agriculture in national income, employment and trade

(Source: EPW Research Foundation (2002)' National Accounts Statistics of India (1950- 51 to
2000-01)
Note: Agricultural GDP includes fishery and forestry. Agricultural exports do not include forestry

There is a need of inclusive growth in agriculture sector , proper knowledge about different farming
techniques, more subsidies should be given by the government to let the farmers use new and improved
technologies. Government must take care of both the service as well as agriculture sector as both play
significant role in shaping Indian Economy. So there is a positive and very essential and effective role of
technology in the advancement Indian agriculture as India is the fastest growing exporter of agricultural
products over ten periods.

The new technology and production of individual crops

Among all crops, wheat seems to be the biggest beneficiary from the new strategy of agriculture in India.
During the period 1967-68 to 1985-86, wheat production increased at a very impressive annual
compounded rate of 5.64%. This was made possible by an yield growth rate of 3.15% and area growth
rate of 2.41% per annum during the same period. Wheat also gained steadily in its share in total cropped
area, which indicates that wheat cultivation has become relatively more profitable compared to other
competing crops after the technological breakthrough in Indian agriculture. The phenomenal success of
wheat under the new strategy is the reflection of large scale adoption of new technology in wheat
cultivation. By 1984-85, area under wheat had gone up to 19.09 million hectares comprising 81% of total
wheat average for that year. The success of new strategy on wheat has been aided by factor such as
absence of serious problems of pests and diseases with the new wheat varieties and the existence of
superior- water management systems in a large part of the wheat growing areas of the country ( namely
Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh) .The impact of the strategy is however somewhat less
spectacular on the production of rice - India’s number one food crop. Where as wheat production had
gone up fourfold from 10.4 million tonnes in 1965-66 to 44.9 million tonnes in 1985-86, rice production
barely doubled from 30.6 to 64.2 million tonnes during the same period. Moreover, 'being a kharif crop in
most parts of the country , it presents a serious water management problem and for these reasons adoption

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 rate of these varieties is much lower than that of new wheat". In recent years however, there has been
some improvement in the situation following the development of some new varieties which produce rice
output of superior quality and which have shown better adaptability to Indian conditions. Thus the
progress of the new strategy in case of rice has been somewhat slower and less dramatic than in case of
wheat. But nevertheless the results so far achieved are fairly impressive. Elsewhere in the agriculture
sector, the new strategy is yet to make much of impression.

Table 4: Target and Achievement of Production of Major Crops during Tenth Five Year Plan

(Million Tonnes) 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Xth Plan

Acheiv Acheiv Acheiv Acheiv Targ Acheiv Acheiv
  Target ement Target ement Target ement Target ement et ement Target ement
Rice 93 71.8 93 88.5 93.5 83.13 87.8 91.79 92.8 93.35 460.1 428.6
75.5
Wheat 78 65.8 78 72.2 79.5 68.64 75.5 69.35 3 75.81 386.6 351.7
Nutri 36.5
Cereals 33 26.1 34 37.6 36.8 33.46 36.5 34.06 2 33.92 176.8 165.1
15.1
Pulses 16 11.1 15 14.9 15.3 13.13 15.2 13.39 5 14.2 76.6 66.76
Foodgrains 220 175 220 213 225 198.4 215 208.6 220 217.3 1100 1012
Oilseeds 27 14.8 24.7 25.2 26.2 24.35 26.6 27.98 29.4 24.29 133.9 116.7
Sugarcane 320 287 320 234 270 237.1 238 281.2 270 355.5 1418 1395
Cotton 15 8.62 15 13.7 15 16.43 16.5 18.5 18.5 22.63 80 79.91
Jute & 11.2
Mesta 12 11.3 12 11.2 11.8 10.27 11.3 10.84 8 11.27 58.36 54.83
(Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics, DAC&FW)

Table 5(a): Target and Achievement of Production of Major Crops during Eleventh and Twelfth Five Year Plans

(Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics, DAC&FW)

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Table 5(b): Target and Achievement of Production of Major Crops during Eleventh and Twelfth Five Year
Plans

(Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics, DAC&FW)

2.7 TRENDS
7 TRENDS
ICT in developing countries

Purchasing costs explain why markets are losing or not working well. Small farmers are poorly
integrated into the market due to the high cost of transportation and their lack of timely delivery,
quality and large number of products.
Even if well-designed infrastructure has reduced transportation costs, small family farmers face
transaction costs to co-operate and integrate their product at larger prices. They also deal with the
cost of obtaining information about consumer choices and decide what and how to invest, and also
benefit from the costs associated with searching and looking for a partner where they can negotiate
a transaction, trade, reach and monitor a deal.
Similar costs reflect other markets such as labor, debt and insurance. For example, low population,
single communities, and a lack of collective information, increase the cost of financial services and
result in non-debt and insurance markets. At a bank, the fixed cost of setting up a branch in a
remote location is very high compared to the amount of business to use.
High costs and operating costs also hinder services that in developing countries are often provided
by governments. In a developing country where agriculture forms a large part of the economy, it is
necessary for a large number of extension agents to reach out to local and remote farmers, to
collaborate, and to advise them on productive productive technologies that can be of great value to
livelihoods.

ICTs have the potential to reduce these costs - digital technology can change. For example,
DrumNet in Kenya has helped to link financial institutions, small farmers, retail suppliers and
consumers of agricultural products through a cashless microcredit system. Farmers gain access to
input (e.g. seed, fertilizer, pesticides) from local suppliers using a pre-established credit line at
banks, where DrumNet has provided the bank with a credit rating for each farmer.
Esoko, Africa uses a combination of mobile and web services and advisory call centers to improve
access to add-on services. Voice, video and call centers also have the advantage of being easily
accessible to uneducated farmers.22 In India, e-Choupal, a trading platform, lowers the cost of
connecting consumers to farmers, using Internet sites. Through its ICT-kiosk platform, e-Choupal
also provides farmers with additional services, such as sharing best practices for product
improvement, and price balancing to increase prices.
The increase in the use of digital technology has created benefits for all through simple

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communication and information sharing, and improving social networking. Input, efficiency, and
innovation are key ways for digital technologies to stimulate development. About 70 percent of the
population in developing countries own a cell phone. The number of Internet users has more than
tripled in a decade, from 1 billion in 2005 to 3.2 billion by the end of 2015.

Improving Market Access

In agriculture, ICTs can bring significant benefits with better data in the market. Prices are signaling
opportunities for producers, buyers, and sellers - such as increased demand creating more retail
opportunities or where excessive delivery leads to cheaper deals. They also show changing patterns
of use and contain information that farmers can use when deciding how much to produce and how
much. With increased access to mobile phones, farmers can better plan production and investment,
based on support and demand, thereby increasing market efficiency.

Indeed, facilitating market access through the provision of pricing information is a common
application of ICT in agriculture. Delivery of information is mainly through the short message
service (SMS), even though voice messages, voice answering apps, or mobile applications are also
used. Reuter's RML Information Services was founded in India in the state of Maharashtra in 2007,
providing an affordable SMS service that shares daily updates on prices, markets, and weather with
subscribers. The platform appeared to provide this information through the smartphone app, and
currently provides customized market data reports to banks, procurement companies and other
organizations on market prices, volumes and other information covering 1,300 wholesale markets
and markets across India.

Many other e-commerce programs, such as e-Choupal, offer similar services, goods exchanges,
trading floor sets and trading services that help large and upstream firms, such as processors or
retailers, manage their performance and quality their product. Typically, those platforms are based
on specific contractual arrangements that describe online negotiation conditions, quality assurance
processes, billing and withdrawal / withdrawal conditions - such fixed contracts can improve
transparency and efficiency.

Many studies provide estimates of the effect of retail price information on fishers and smallholders.
For example, the distribution of price data in Uganda resulted in a 15 per cent drop in the price of
maize farms.26 Similar results were conducted by researchers in Peru and the Philippines.27 Other
studies note very small results.

The emerging work of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and its partners as
part of the Finnish Government funded by the Finnish illuminating the work and challenges
associated with agricultural ICT services. In Ghana and Uganda, farmers receiving information on
pricing, weather and extension of ICT applications are showing their willingness to pay US $ 0,30-
$ 1 per month to cover the cost of the service. Investigators however did not see the impact of the
ICT service on the prices farmers received from vendors for their agricultural products.

Climate Change Adaptation And Early Warning

The effects of climate change are already having an impact on agriculture, making the challenge of
accessing food security and improving nutrients worse. In the face of these challenges, knowledge
is the key to readiness; For farmers, this can mean the difference between a successful or a failed
crop. ICT-based tools related to climate change issues and early warning can help reduce the risks
faced by smallholder farmers.

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 On a smaller scale, the provision of immediate alerts in local weather conditions may dismiss early
warning messages relating to adverse weather events - for example, possible flooding. For example,
AfricaAdapt, in Senegal, helps reach vulnerable communities with information on climate change
from researchers, policy makers and civil society organizations. It operates as a community of
practice, and is supported by a website where members can share updates in face-to-face meetings
about their work and adaptation strategies.

At the highest level, the World Food Study (WOFOST) rating model, developed by the Center for
World Food Study (CFWS) in partnership with the University of Wageningen, analyzes annual
growth and crop production rates and works to calculate crop production rates based on soil and
climate, among other things.

Early warning systems and disaster risk reduction information systems are available worldwide.
One of the most effective means of disseminating early warnings and agricultural pests and disease-
related information is through SMS. The Avian Influenza Awareness Program, developed by FAO
and developed by truck drivers in Bangladesh, makes extensive use of mobile technology to track
the deadly avian influenza virus (H5N1). Short messaging services (SMS) were used to collect and
manage information from a large number of grassroot volunteers, thus enabling consistent and real-
time response to contain outbreaks.

Remote Sensing and ICTs are essential for the assessment of natural resources and for providing
information to address climate change. FAO and Google have partnered to improve access to data
and analysis data through Open Foris. This initiative integrates Google Earth and the World
Organization's expertise to address complex issues related to forestry, land cover and land use. The
open source app allows even the smallest person to equip a smartphone to better measure and
monitor a piece of land larger than an acre and monitor deforestation and deforestation.35 In
addition, the FAO locust control unit has used Earth Engine to improve prediction and control of
outbreaks locusts. Satellites cannot detect the most fearsome insects themselves but can speed up
the identification of potential breeding sites and make the interventions more effective.
ICTs in agriculture: developed countries
CTs
The digital divide between developing and developed countries is less clear in agriculture. This is
not due to the different dimensions in which digital technology has penetrated rural areas
throughout the developed economy and the developing world, but also because of different farm
structures. Farmers, collaborators, wholesalers, intermediaries and wholesalers, retailers, processors
and retailers use ICTs across a range of food prices, from farm soil tests to 3D printers to process
food.
For the past two decades, farmers in developed countries have been using ICTs to grow Precision
Agriculture (PA) 42 including soil analysis, irrigation, agricultural equipment, weather forecasts,
and more. The rapid pace of technological advancements, which allow for efficient data storage and
analysis and low cost has helped us to achieve this agricultural development.

Precision Agriculture

While the main motivation is to use Precision Agriculture (PA) methods to maximize profits, we
can also address health and safety issues and reduce the environmental impacts of farming
practices. This method is currently used mainly by large adjoining farms in Central and Northern
Europe, USA and Australia. A successful example of this approach is the use of a Traffic Control
Farm, which minimizes crop damage and soil performance as it binds field vehicles to a limited
area of permanent traffic with the help of GNSS technology and decision support systems. Farmers
in Australia and the UK have been able to reduce equipment and installation costs and increase crop

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yields.
Precision Livestocking is another example of the use of ICTs. They are used for automatic
monitoring of individual animals for animal growth, milk and egg production and disease control,
as well as for monitoring the behavior of animals and their physical location. The use of this
approach has shown the benefits of commercial farming on, for example, the southwest of England.
Although PA methods are gradually being used on farms in developed countries, there is still a need
for research and investment to increase adoption. At the European Union, ICT AGRI is linking
regional, national and European research programs to ICTs and robots to broaden the agenda for
similar research, including incorporating PA into small farms.
In addition to the various benefits on the way farms, the operation of Precision Agriculture often
consumes and produces the essentials of Big Data and its operations. Big Data, the collection and
analysis of large and complex data sets, which can be used to interpret past events and predict
future events. It has the potential to provide innovative decision-making tools to aid agricultural
development and the protection of biodiversity.

In the USA, two important examples of big data exchange platforms are i) FieldScript, a marketing
service provided by Monsanto that analyzes and provides the farmer with seed-planting instructions
that can increase yields and reduce risk; and, (ii) the Farmers Business Network (FBN), a data
exchange platform, in mid-2015, was able to evaluate the performance of 500 seeds and 16 different
crops.

Serious Gaming

A large number of people use social networks on-line to interact with people, learn and experience
new ways to express and enjoy themselves. These networks are developed for virtual communities,
where people interact with each other, and agriculture is an integral part of real and true society. For
example, FarmVille, a social equity farming game involving a variety of farming activities, was
launched on Facebook in 2009 and held a high profile in terms of popularity for two years.
Complex digital games, such as the John Deere American Farmer, introduce their many dimensions
of agriculture, climate, natural disasters and crops, where players have to manage their farm
workers and buy inputs.
Digital games are not just for entertainment. Critical games are digital game playgrounds designed
to train a player in problem solving. They are gaining popularity in many areas, such as public
policy, defense, corporate governance, education and training. They are simulation platforms that
allow students to see multiple situations and contexts and provide solutions, have a positive impact
on analytical skills, reading and memory skills, problem recognition and problem solving.
In these games, objectives and rules are defined by a set of solutions that are revealed by analytical
and simulation methods. For example though food and agriculture play a lot at a young age,
RESOTRES, a game based on land use by smallholder farmers, is rich in social and environmental
consequences with many farmers' decision-making tools being used in farming communities in
Chiapas, Mexico, sharp skills in collective land use patterns, negotiations and collective decision-
making . AgriManager, a challenging game developed by eCommerce Agricole, helps agricultural
students gain farm management skills through troubleshooting, including business, banking and
insurance.
At a broader level, the World Economic Forum and the Worldwide Wildlife Fund, the Center for
American Progress, CNA Corporation, Cargill and Mars participated in a major response to the
food crisis controversy over Food Chain Reaction, a soft spot positioned on climate change and
climate events bad, and you have been notified by the shocks of past global food.

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2.8 ISSUES/KEY BARRIERS FOR ADOPTION

A key issue in agricultural development is the need to improve productivity, generate employment,
and provide a source of income for the disadvantaged sectors of the population. A study by the
FAO revealed that smallholder farms in developing countries contribute about 30-35% of total
agricultural output.
The pace of adoption of modern technology in India is slow and the methods of farming are
complex and unscientific. Some of the fundamental issues for the development of the Indian
agricultural sector are the revitalization of cooperative institutions, improving domestic credit,
research, human resource development, promoting trade and export, land reform and education.
There can be many bidders of adoption due to lack of local and / or relevant data - for example
non-compliance with local requirements, lack of ICT awareness, poor choice of partners, outdated
legal systems, effort involved in collecting, changing and exchanging required data, administrative
responsibilities required computer-aided services (e.g. reporting on EU subsidy requirements),
possible errors (typos and "incorrect" details), too much decision support, lack of transparency, little
or no accountability ("the computer said ...!?! . "), the time it takes to enter data, and more.

2.9 CHALLENGES

While substantial progress has been made in making ICTs available and accessible for rural
communities, challenges remain in respect to the following critical factors for success.

Challenges faced by Govt

1. Content
Translating content to local needs, languages and contexts remains a challenge. Appropriate sources
of information (e.g. content) and trusted advocates are needed for the success of e-agriculture
initiatives. The distribution of information can be limited if the type of information does not suit the
needs of the farmers in terms of structure and relevance. Although ICTs are capable of providing
big data, this does not mean that you can use it effectively. Local renewable content and existing
relationships based on trust are not given sufficient attention and priority in development programs.
Bringing ICTs and planning for development together, with information technology coming directly
from rural communities, remains the standard design consideration that meets the needs of the
poorest communities.

2. Capacity development
This is compared to three dimensions: the enabling environment, the power of the organization and
the power of the individual. Skills at the individual, organizational and institutional levels need to
be strengthened. Focusing on improving access to agricultural knowledge without compromising
the ability to use information effectively has not eliminated the desired reduction in rural digital
differentiation. Illiteracy, limited skills in the use of sophisticated devices to search for information
and cultural issues remain obstacles to the successful adoption and use of information provided by
ICTs. The models for energy development need to be based on social contexts, information needs
and technological work in terms of context. Adding ICT outreach projects to reach millions of
smallholder farmers remains a challenge. Proposals and expansion of projects are sometimes not
adequately supported by discussions at the organizational and national levels which may create a
policy climate conducive to the effective use of ICTs in agriculture. The cost of access to ICTs can

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be very high in some countries. Broadband pricing or mobile services is an important obstacle for
high-risk groups, such as women, youth, elderly farmers and people who live in very remote areas.

3. Gender and diversity

Access and opportunities are not evenly distributed among users, creating asymmetries to address
specific policies directed at the source of inequality. Access to women, youth, elderly farmers and
people living in far-flung areas is hampered by the cost of access to ICTs (e.g. wideband or mobile
services) and the ongoing inequality. Gender inequality remains a major problem in the digital
economy, as does the gap between urban and rural populations. The digital divide is not only
concerned with technological and communications infrastructure; it is a unified problem of
exchanging intangible information and managing information content; inadequate staffing and
institutional capacity; and a lack of sensitivity to gender and the different needs of different groups.
For example, illiterate and older farmers tend to have lesser digital skills, and as a result they are
less likely to accept ICTs. Many of the factors that force male farmers to adopt sustainable and
effective methods limit women significantly. Specific gender barriers also create a barrier for
female farmers to enter and become more productive. The youth's access to and familiarity with
technology, as well as its role in the social transformation of rural communities, has not been
adequately addressed.

4. Access and participation

Access to ICTs is not yet equal. As mentioned earlier, gender stereotypes persist, and are more
common in rural areas than in urban areas. The digital divide between men and women is
increasing, despite the increasing number of Internet users. Improved access to ICTs alone will not
solve the digital sex divide. As challenges have been reported in other key areas, proper design and
implementation based on a sound foundation and participatory engagement with the communities
themselves can reduce the likelihood of the information gap created when introducing new ICTs
into the community.

5. Partnerships
Public-private partnerships are considered essential for sustainable business models at the
community level, but this does not always have to be with large corporate firms; small, private
home companies, producer organizations and community-based NGOs often have the money to
communicate and provide reliable information and quality services. The different counseling and
extension services offered by different types of providers may meet different farmers' needs,
because not one type of counseling service can fit every situation. With a wide variety of partners
comes a new challenge: systematic recognition of data and service quality standards, and partner
agreement that will be answered by meeting them.

6. Technologies
Identifying the right mix of technologies appropriate for local needs and often problematic
situations is challenging, despite - or because of - the rapid increase in telephone access in rural
areas. While this provides great potential to expand access to information, challenges remain in the
area of successful use of mobile phones related to access and capacity as outlined above.
Technology should be adaptable to their home environment and needs, and their choices should
take into consideration the impact ICT has on society and society. The allocation of youth ICTs in
support of agricultural activities also creates a shift in social change between the youth and older
members of the community, or between rural and urban / urban communities.

7. Economic, social and environmental sustainability

Adding ICT measurement projects to reach millions of small farmers and identifying challenging
business models is still a challenge. On the other hand, prices are important for sustainable

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agribusiness models at the community level. Money is needed to cover the cost of creating content
and collecting data. On the other hand, social stability may be compromised if the roles and
responsibilities are not understood between the participants. For example, the ICT center area
should be suitable for the participation of all users (including women and the elderly). Lastly,
technological waste is a problem and a pollutant that should not be underestimated. Estimates and
data on the impact of mobile technology on agriculture are scarce and often bizarre. Strong details
are needed about the impact of previous programs, including lessons learned, to inform construction
and the path of future efforts. At the same time, these effects are difficult to quantify because they
may be rapid, or they may not be reported or recorded. Usually, the success of ICT interventions in
agriculture is rooted in each case. The sustainability of ICTs in agricultural systems could be
jeopardized if development agencies, governments and private companies fail to articulate the
indicators and data that confirm the investment in ICTs and the potential positive effects.

Challenges faced by farmers

1) Illteracy among farmers: Lack of knowledge creates a problem in the adoption of new
technologies due to old beliefs and as a result they do not advance the practice of traditional
agricultural methods, which are not where high or high value is created.

2) Lack of technology: Technological development requires new technology and the

implementation of new technologies requires a large amount of investment, but as the current state
puts more emphasis on service sector development rather than the agricultural sector as before so
that obstacles appear in the way of adopting new technologies in greater expansion than by few.

3) Lack of awareness about the technological use : Although farmers are adopting new technologies,
many farmers cannot use technology due to lack of understanding about implementation.

4) Avoid taking risk: In many cases farmers try to avoid carrying any risk due to the uncertainty of
better results with the adoption of new technologies and do not try to contact technical updates.

5) Rural consequences: There are challenges in how to use the new technology as of now and rural
development is still ongoing and back, the endless problems such as access to electricity, water
supply, which can be misinterpreted by the transportation system and communication.

2.10 ADVANTAGES/ BENEFITS OF ICTs & AGRICULTURE

TECHNOLOGY
Some of the benefits of Information Technology and Communication technologies in agriculture
are as follows:
 Support politics and analysis on good farm production, disaster management, agricultural
resource management and more, exploitation tools such as spatial information systems
(GIS).
 Improve farm -management expertise and technology through economic farm
management, risk
 Management, effective data or data transfer etc. For example, should a farmer make
important decisions as to what to invest? Once to plant? How to handle pests? While
taking into account factors such as environmental factors, market access, and trade
levels. An integrated call web will certainly facilitate their choice.
 It will provide systems and tools to prevent food traceability and reliability which has
been an increasing issue regarding farm produce since the contamination of poultry-
related disease was detected.

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  Promote rural employment and provide soft and safe rural life with services similar to
those in urban areas, such as provision of distance education, telemedicine, remote
public services, long distances etc. Stakeholder Development (Government officials,
Research, Education & Extension Scientists, farmers and various service providers such
as public data centers.
 Improved information management, Support Support and Compensation Programs to
strength the Extension Services and used by the Farmer Reform Program.
 Effective management (Development, Maintenance, allocation and utilization) of
resources.
 Improved productivity and profitability of farmers through high quality consultation.

2.11 OPPORTUNITIES

The Agricultural Sector plays an important role in the Indian economy where the rights and social
services of the economy rise and any change in its composition is likely to have a direct impact on
the existing pattern of social equity. Sustainable agricultural production depends on the efficient use
of soil, water, livestock, genetics, forest, climate, rainfall and soils. Indian agriculture deals with
resource constraints, infrastructure constraints, institutional constraints, technological constraints
and set policy limits. Sustainable development is the management and conservation of natural
resources and the flexibility of technology and institutions in a way that ensures the sustained and
sustained satisfaction of human needs for present and future generations. This sustainable
development (in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries) conserves land, water, plant and
genetic material, is environmentally friendly, technologically sound, economically viable and
socially acceptable. Therefore, to achieve sustainable agricultural development the optimal use of
natural resources, human resources, capital resources and technological resources is required. In
India, crop yields are highly dependent on rainfall, which is a major reason for the slowdown in the
agricultural sector. This discontent affects small and medium scale farmers, which often lead to
health. Therefore, something must be done to support farmers and an adequate amount of water and
electricity must be provided to them as they feel insecure and continue to die from drought, flood
and fire. India is the second largest country in the world in terms of population; it should realize that
it is a good source for the whole world. India has a large number of people who do nothing. There is
a need to find ways to test their talent and make numbers contribute to growth. Especially in
agriculture, unemployment can be seen. Sustainable development in India can also be achieved
through the full utilization of labor .The greater part of the world's poor are engaged in agriculture,
unless we increase their standard of living, the country's full growth is not possible. If we continue
to ignore the poor, this inequality will continue to grow between classes. Debt traps in the country
force farmers to kill them. People are moving to cities in the hope of a better life but there is also an
increase in the number of cities. Therefore, rural people should be given work in their areas and the
opportunity to succeed. India has been holding the mark of the "developing" world for now; to
make progress in the "developed" countries, we have to give this great dependence on the
agricultural sector.

2.12 SUCCESS STORIES OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION

Page 45
 1. MIZORAM

Fig 8: Mr. M. Lalremsiama Story

(Source: http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/AR_2018-19_Final_for_Print)

The income of beneficiaries have gone up from Rs. 1,08,000/ to Rs. 8,20,000/ though the total cost of cultivation &
Cost/Tonnes has increased simultaneously.

2. NAGALAND

Fig 8: Shri Letthang Misao Story

(Source: http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/AR_2018-19_Final_for_Print)
The beneficiary has been benefitted by adopting technology under high density planting with 78
Annual Report 2018-19 Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare plastic
mulching. His income has increased from Rs. 2,30,000/- to Rs. 3,73,000/- though cost of cultivation
has gone up.
3. TELANGANA

Page 46
 Fig 10: Matangi Anjaiah Story

(Source: http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/AR_2018-19_Final_for_Print)
By adopting practices under protected and drip irrigation, the income of the farmer has increased from Rs.
1,15,00/- to Rs. 2,20,00/, notably the total cost of cultivation has decreased.

4. UTTAR PRADESH

Fig 11: Kailash Nath Tripathi Story

(Source: http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/AR_2018-19_Final_for_Print )
Farmer has adopted technology of tissue culture for banana plantation which has resulted in his net income of
Rs. 3,21,000/- though the total cost of cultivation & Cost/Tonnes have decreased.

Page 47
 A FARMER’S STORY

A farmer explains the effects of the climate on his crops and how he cop up with the help of DIGITAL GREEN
PROJECT

In January, the wheat fields sown in the previous year all over Rajgarh District of the Indian state of ( Madhya Pradesh )
are flourishing. Their long stalks sway elegantly in the breeze and the ears of the grain are ripening into plump seeds
.The changing weather has wreaked great damage on the crop. Everywhere, large patches in wheat fields have been
flattened by excessive rain and wind. The kernels of wheat are full of water from dew and fog, and the seeds inside are
rotting from the uncharacteristic lack of sunshine.

Despite the obvious problems caused by the weather, Mr Santosh Sharma, a long-time farmer from Biaorakala village
(Khilchipur block, Rajgarh District) remains positive about his own wheat fields. When prompted, he explained that this
year he has chosen to plant a different variety of wheat. This newer strain, called Variety 322, is more resistant to
climate change in addition to giving a higher yield of grain. Each seed produces a greater number of individual stalks –
about ten per seed as opposed to about six per seed in the older varieties and each stalk is thicker than earlier varieties.
Variety 322 is better able to withstand the wind, rain and excessive moisture that the region is facing this season. While
Mr Santosh still anticipates a lower yield than if the weather was more amenable, he is grateful that his crops have
managed to withstand the climatic challenges to some degree.

Santosh is one of the few farmers from his village who has managed to cope with the weather this year, and attributes
this to the videos on wheat cultivation that he watched. These short eight-to-ten minute documentaries, developed by
Digital Green along with its partners in the local NGO ACCESS, as well as the village community, demonstrate best
agricultural practices for farmers. The videos are made in the local language by the community, for the community,
using members from the community as actors. Santosh has not only seen most of the videos developed in his district, but
also featured in some of them. He has adopted several of the practices, and is a strong advocate of the video-based
learning process amongst his peers.

Explaining what he finds successful about the approach, Santosh says, “Not only do videos allow farmers to see a visual
demonstration of the entire process, they also feature practices that can easily be tested. For example, I planted Variety
322 on a small part of my land last year. When I saw that it gave me a bigger yield than the other variety, I decided to
plant more of it this year. I am lucky, because it is also stronger and better at surviving in this bad weather.”
Furthermore, he adds, “Farmers are always keen to learn new and better ways of growing their crops. The videos are
helpful because the entire process is visually demonstrated and explained in our own language by farmers from our own
community. All this makes it easier for us to understand.”

Page 48
Chapter III Literature
Review

Page 49
Mahmud and Ahsan (2016) studied the role of ICTs in Agriculture/Rural development and
Governance in Taiwan. The study revealed that use of ICTs resulted in highest benefits to the
producers and saved them from middlemen. ICTs were used for enhancing both research findings
among the stake-holders which ensured optimum coordination between research and extension for
the welfare of farmers. Chavula (2014) using the 2000-2011 panel data for 34 African countries
revealed that ICTs played a significant role in enhancing agricultural production, despite mobile
phones had insignificant impact while telephone main lines a significant contributor to agricultural
growth . The results also suggested that certain socioeconomic characteristics such as higher
education levels and skills are prerequisites for effective improvements in agricultural production
due to the adoption and utilisation of new technologies. The study by Halewood and Surya (2012)
showed that the benefits of using ICTs in promoting access to price information in Africa have led
to increase up to 36% of farmers’ income, and up to 36% of traders’ income in countries such as
Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Morocco. McKinsey (2013) revealed that the Ethiopian Commodity
Exchange provided a virtual market place, accessible online, by phone or SMS, which provided
transparency on supply, demand and prices and increased farmers’ share of revenue.

Chhachhar, et.al (2014) revealed that internet, mobile phones, radio and television were the most
important tools of communication providing knowledge and information to farmers about
agriculture. In remote areas radio was favourite tool of communication which broadcasts many
agriculture programs while television also contributed much in disseminating information about
agriculture in developing countries. Mobile phones reduced the gap among farmers and buyers.
Farmers directly communicated with customers and got price of their products from market.
Farmers got latest information from metrological department for weather conditions before using
pesticides in their farms. Internet also disseminated information regarding price and marketing of
goods and farmers received information within minutes from all over the world.

Hassan, et.al., (2010) stated that in Malaysia current statistics showed that 94% of the Malaysian
farmers used internet for the purpose of seeking agriculture information while 85% of the farmers
got information by using the text messages. Meera, et. al., (2004) reported that in India to provide
internet knowledge farmers’ trainers were appointed to provide training. The farmers were not
feeling any hesitation to obtain information about use of internet and getting information about
pesticides as well as market. A study by Fafchamps and Vargas Hill (2005) pointed out that the use
of mobile phones among farmers played positive impact in their income and productivity because
before travel communication with buyers resulted in selling their product at good price. Murty and
Abhinov (2012) revealed that in the context of India and Ethiopia television played a most vital role
as a medium of diffusion information about agriculture. The farmers could get easily information by
watching the agriculture related programs on television.
A wide range of literature covers the subject of labour absorption in agriculture and technological
intervention in less developed countries such as India (Bardhan 1983; Vaidyanathan and Jose 1977;
Dasgupta 1977). It shows that the level of labour absorption in agriculture varies across crops,
gender, regions and is determined by multiple other factors such as intensive use of inputs, cropping
pattern, farm size, irrigation, technology and mechanisation (Dhar 2013). The land augmenting
factors – high yield variety seeds, fertilizers, plant protection measures and irrigation, which
increase cropping intensity and crop production/productivity – therefore, generate more
employment in agriculture (Basant 1987). On the other hand, it has been argued that labour
augmenting technology such as tractors, tiller and combine harvesters adversely affect labour use,
resulting in labour displacement (Binswanger 1978; Ramachandran 1990). It is also argued that
mechanisation in agriculture compensates labour displacement and in fact increases labour demand
(Basant 1987). In this paper, operation wise examination of labour absorption in major crops like
banana and Jowar has been carried out to understand both positive and negative implications on
labour absorption in a commercialised region. Agricultural technologies (including farm
mechanisation) have varied impact on the internal composition of hired labour, family labour and
attached labour. The changes in the labour contracts due to advent of technology and mechanisation
were reported in many studies (Raj 1972; Devi et al. 2013; Bardhan 1983). It was noted by Raj
(1972) that the introduction of tractors did not result in any major displacement of casual labourers
in agriculture. However, mechanised irrigation i.e. pump-sets and tube wells increased the demand
for casual workers and replaced permanent/attached labourers. Bardhan (1977) indicated that in
India, new technology negatively affects the relative share of wage labourers in output, which may
also lead to absolute decline of agricultural labourers in terms of number of labour days. It has been
argued that there is an inverse relationship between farm mechanisation and use of family labour
(Ghosh 1979 cited in Bardhan 1983). The question of mechanisation in agriculture and labour
displacement is mainly concerned with the use of machines such as tractors, threshers, combine
harvesters etc. However, the fact is that these machines reduce labour hours and labour cost (both
human and bullock), reduce unit cost of production and offer precision technologies. Mechanisation
also enhances cropping intensity, timeliness of operation and ultimately enhances production and
productivity in agriculture. This leads to more employment opportunities not only in the agricultural
sector but also in secondary and tertiary sectors of manufacturing, servicing, distribution, repairing
and maintenance (Hanumantha Rao 1975; NCAER 1980; Basant 1987; Singh 2005; Sarkar et al.
2013).
According to The DuPont Advisory Committee on Agriculture Innovation and Productivity, as with
any crisis of our time, world hunger and malnutrition will require the efforts of all stakeholders.
Through increased collaboration and partnerships, we can leverage the resources,
Expertise and tools of the collective whole. The Green Revolution demonstrated the potential
for science to bring countries from famine to a surplus of food. The world must again embrace
collective innovation to achieve global food and nutrition security. We will need to support the
Full array of innovative solutions that is available to farmers, including agricultural
Biotechnology, to meet global food demand.
According to Alain de Janvry, Gregory Graff, Elisabeth Sadoulet, and David Zilberman
University of California at Berkeley, There are two channels through which technological change in
agriculture can act on poverty. First, it can help reduce poverty directly by raising the welfare of
poor farmers who adopt the technological innovation. Benefits for them derive from increased
production for home consumption, more nutritious foods, higher gross revenues from sales deriving
both from higher volumes of sales and higher unit value products, lower
production costs, lower yield risks, lower exposure to unhealthy chemicals, and improved natural
resource management. Second, technological change can also help reduce poverty indirectly
through the effects which adoption, by both poor and non-poor farmers, has on:
The price of food for net buyers.
Employment and wage effects in agriculture.

Ugwuishiwu C.H., Udanor C.N., Ugwuishiwu B.O., (2012) This paper proposes an Agro-
Information System that enables a farmer to have relevant information about a crop, such as the
varieties and other requirements like soil type, temperature, type and quantity of fertilizer, time of
planting, time of maturity, planting distance, diseases, pest, pest and Disease control measures,
rainfall, sunshine, etc. of that crop. The level of application of this information determines the
volume and efficiency of the crop yield. AIS software is designed and implemented which helps the
farmer achieve the afore-mentioned objectives. 3. Havli
HavliCek, J. Vanek, V. Lohr, E. Cervenkova, (2010) The rapid advancement in Information and
Communications Technologies (ICTs) has given rise to new applications that were impossible just
few years ago. Agriculture is an important sector with the majority of the rural population in
developing countries depending on it. The sector faces major challenges of enhancing production in
a situation of dwindling natural resources necessary for production. ICT plays an important role in
challenging and uplifting the livelihoods of the rural populace using an agro computer-based
information system. This paper proposes an Agro-Information System that enables a farmer to have
relevant information about a crop, such as the varieties and other requirements like soil type,
temperature, type and quantity of fertilizer, time of planting, time of maturity, planting distance,
diseases, pest, pest and Disease control measures, rainfall, sunshine, etc. of that crop. The level of
application of this information determines the volume and efficiency of the crop yield. AIS software
is designed and implemented which helps the farmer achieve the afore-mentioned objectives.
Manish Mahant, Abhishek Shukla, Sunil Dixit, Dileshwer Patel, (2012) The application of
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in agriculture is increasingly important. E-
Agriculture involves the conceptualization, design, development, evaluation and application of
innovative ways to use information and communication technologies (ICT) in rural domain, with a
primary focus on agriculture. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can play a
significant role in maintaining properties of information as it consists of three main technologies.
These technologies are applied for processing, exchanging and managing data, information and
knowledge.
Candice Stevens discussed the Green Revolution which includes the new crop varieties, increased
yields. He also commented on rapidly increasing populations and shrinking natural resources. To
maintain this performance we must improve sustainable resource use, and respond to climate
change. He has also focused on the Water management because there is a challenge of increasing
food production using less water due to pressures from climate change as well as from urbanization
and industrialization, the conservation of water resources is not focused in his report. Development
of land could also be one of the ways to overcome matching of demand and supply of food grains.
James K. Nyoro (JUNE 2002) focused on various issues like Structure of Agricultural Production
including Coffee, Tea, Horticulture, Pyrethrum, Maize and wheat and Dairy. He also discussed the
institutes in agriculture like marketing, credit banks, and cooperative societies. But the strategy to
meet demand and supply of agri production is not explained in his paper.
L.L. Samantaray (2015) in his study titled “A Study on the Current Trend of Agriculture
Productivity in India and its future prospects” discusses about the linkage between structural,
technical and institutional policy reforms, which are responsible for successive agriculture
development. The researcher has collected and analyze secondary data Agriculture, Industry and
Service sector, he has explored some major drawback of farm sector in India, and showing to
government that it should give priorities to key segments like marketing, price mechanism, research
and development. He has been observed that the support of Govt. and privet interference the
sustainable growth can be attained.
Sangeet, Sukhpal Singh, ShrutiBhogal (2013) in their research study entitled “Agriculture for
Sustainable development of India” he traced on Agriculture and compared its different dimensions
like employment generation production and productivity, food grain availability. The study shows
that more than 60% population has dependent on agriculture which has not sustainably grow. The
authors suggest that sustainable development is a vision and that is a time to think about the scare
and limited resources and it’s used optimally and efficiently for preserving environment.
Amarnath Tripathi & A.R. Prasad had explained the nature of agriculture and decelerating growth
trend in agriculture. They found that the cause of failure of all development policy for agriculture is
that there is no availability of any separate development strategy for Indian agriculture. This is due
to the fact that we had not available necessary data to study the characteristics of Indian agriculture.
But presently we have come a long way from Independence and now we have long-terms data
pertaining to Indian agriculture. The innovative strategies are not focused in his paper to overcome
dryness in summer.
Swami Nathan, (2000), has argued for modernizing the entire patent infrastructure, starting patent
facilitating centers in various scientific departments. The literature on innovation in order to build a
conceptual framework of innovation and identify areas of further research. Though the surveyed
literature suggests that intellectual property rights (IPRs) play an important role with regard to
innovation, we contend that this may not be the case for developing countries due to specific
country characteristics.
Surabhi Mittal (2007) expresses background of horticulture development in India, past trends in
area, production and exports, domestic demand, supply and constraints. She presents a SAFAL
market case study to overcome some of the problems associated with this sector.
Mathur, Das, and Sircar (2006) discussed trends in growth of agricultural production in India over
the last one and half decade. The study identifies factors that affect agricultural growth and analyses
constrains that have affected its growth in the sector. There has been a decline in growth rate of the
agriculture sector during the 1990 till the recent past. This is accompanied with recent decline in
yields per hectare for a number of food crops. There are vast inter-state differences in growth rate of
agriculture and even more so for food grains. The analysis at the all India level for the period 1990-
91 to 2003-04 suggests that government expenditure in agriculture including public investment and
subsidy for fertilizer usage and electricity consumption for agriculture are the main factors affecting
agricultural production in India. At the same time, the state – wise analysis from the panel
regression result shows that the agricultural output at current prices is significantly and positively
dependent on government expenditure on agriculture, fertilizer usage, rainfall and population.
 Chapter IV
Research Methodology

Page 54
4.1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This research project concludes its findings majorly on the basis of secondary data which is supported by
primary research conducted in area called Basal, district- Solan. Research methodology is helps in
identifying the problem, collecting and analyzing the required data and providing an appropriate solution
to the problem. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for conducting the study. Data
collection methods included questionnaires for farmers. All data gathered during the study was analyzed
using descriptive statistical method.
In order to achieving the objectives the following research methodology will be adopted:

(a) Research design

A research design is a systematic approach that a researcher uses to conduct a scientific study. It is
the overall synchronization of identified components and data resulting in a plausible outcome.
In this study we have used both Quantitative & Qualitative research for collecting and analyzing
data. Descriptive Research design method to answer the questions of
● Who (influence the study)
● What (is the need of agricultural technologies, issues, challenges, opportunities, benefits.),
● How (the system will work and effect the economy).
● Where ( in which area they are using this technologies)

(b) Sample area

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Himachal Pradesh and has an important place
in the economy of the State. Himachal Pradesh is the only State in the country whose 89.96 per
cent population (Census 2011) lives in rural areas. Therefore dependency on Agriculture/
Horticulture is ominent as it provides direct employment to about 62 per cent of total workers of
the State. From the perspective of agriculture in Solan district (himachal pradesh) we have chosen
a small town named Basal in district Solan who are majorly dependent of agricultural income.

(c) Sample size

For attaining different objectives, sample size is 50 which includes both male and female.

(d) Justification of sample selection

This sample area is chosen because majority of the production yield in Solan Mandi comes from
basal. Tomatoes being the major producer. Also majority of the people in the village are entirely
dependent on their primary occupation agriculture.

(e) Data collection methods

Data collection is an essential part for every research as the base of conducting the study depends on
the accuracy of collection of data, also on the method of collection of the data.
After analyzing the research problem, the source of data necessarily used in order to obtain the
desired results are
Data Source:-
Secondary Data: Govt official reports, Journals, Govt websites, articles, research papers
statistical data, magazines.
Primary Data: Questionnaire designed for the sample area, field work.
Statistical tools: For the data analysis various statistical tools like Percentage, Comparative
analysis and Test of Significance will be employed and also the statistical software like MS
Excel will be used.

Page 55
 Chapter V
Findings & Conclusion

Page 56
5.1 FINDINGS
As our area of research is very vast we cannot conclude the study on the basis of primary data alone.
Therefore findings of the study are based on secondary data collected supported by the primary data.
About Basal- Basal is a Village in Solan Tehsil in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh State, India.
It is located 3 KM towards North from District head quarters Solan. 3 KM from Solan. 23 KM from
State capital Shimla..Basal Local Language is Hindi. Basal Village Total population is 3668 and
number of houses are 871. Female Population is 49.2%. Village literacy rate is 80.3% and the Female
Literacy rate is 37.6%.

Primary analysis-
The questionnaire was prepared which was divided into three sections. i.e
1. Who ( about the respondents)
2. What ( Awareness of the respondents)
3. Why ( Reasons for adoption/issues in ICTs)

The first part of questionnaire is about the basis information about the respondent which includes details
about the respondent, their land holding pattern, literacy, agricultural income etc. The second part of the
Questionnaire dealt about the the respondent's awareness about ICTs & technologies used in agriculture,
which aims at knowing what are the different types of ICTs & technology used by farmers for agricultural
practices through their area of activity. It is also important to know the changes they found after using
these technologies and ICT tools and how effective it is in their area of activity. Therefore the third
section of the questionnaire is about the effectiveness of these technologies and ICT tools in their farm
practices.
Also the issues/problem in uptake of technology which is useful to support the secondary data given by
the govt and other sources which tells about the hindrance faced by the farmers.
This Questionnaire aims to study about the Awareness, Use and Effectiveness of Information and
communication tools & Technology by farmers in agricultural sector.
Fig 11:- Usage of ICTs (hardware) by basal villagers

Uses of harware technology in Basal

25
20 23 22
15
10
5 9
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 USES
0 2
R R S 1S R R S H R R S LL S S M K R P P R M N N R R R R
CTO ALE TER TTER CTO ATO KER UG ILLE ILLE OW DRI DER IZER STE TAN AYE UM UM KLE STE TIO TIO ESTE WE APE SHE
A B LAN CU RA TIV AC PLO Y T IP T RR ED SEE RT SY RY PR L P E P RIN SY IGA IGA RV MO RE RE
TR T L IP R R A E E L R S A BL SP R R R A TH
S&P RS& INI CU ULT O TA ST H S AST M F RIL SLU FUG RSI K LE IR IR E H
E
ER D M ELD C R C U D I
R E R
IN TE RI INP
ED RED FI O AD ED C NT UNM SPR EN D MB
E E E C
S H BR SE C S CO
S FIR

From the figure it’s clear that the villagers are using basic tools for agriculture purpose none of them
is using the modern tools eg:- the modified ones. The survey also reflected that they are using the
basic tool-tractor because it was difficult to maintain the bullock and the labor cost them more and
they are not earring much profits.

Page 57
Fig 13: Use of ICTs (software) in Basal

Use of ICTs (software) in Basal

4%

16%
0
Kissan call Center
mkisan portal

80%

From the fig we can say that the villagers are not aware of the ICTs – the software , websites &
portals which were designed for their benefits, for their information,80% of them are are not using
any serviecs.

Fig 14: Total use of tools and technologies

Both Software
Hardware
22% 22%
42%

Fig8: Source of information

Page 58
 SOURCE OF INFORMATION

15%

MOBILE
8% TV
RADIO
51% NEWSPAPER

25%

This figure depicts the other sources of information for obtaining the requisite agricultural
information. i.e if not ICTs then what are the actual source of information in the sample area. Figure
shows that 51% of the sample size uses mobile phones but rather than using ICTs they search about
weather forecast, solutions to their problems on Google etc. This is because of their lack of
awareness about the source at hand and it's importance. ICTs can help the farmers learn about
various things on their finger tips
From the above we can conclude that despite of having the ease they are not choosing the ICTs .
Majorly sample is holding smart phones but still they are unaware of the usage ICTs and its
function the data also showed that the villagers still uses the other mode-TV ,Newspaper, Radio to
get the information they still relying to get information on old mediums.

The results of the study revealed that the level of availability and accessibility of ICTs was the
highest for mobile phones followed by television and radio respectively. Mobile phones were also
regarded as the most frequently used ICT tool as compared to other ICTs. The reason mobile
phones was highly accessed and most frequently used by majority of the respondents is that it is
easily affordable and could be easily used by even illiterate farmers.However, the study has found
that lack of confidence in operating ICTs, erratic power supply, low network connectivity, lack of
awareness of benefits of ICTs, lack of skill in handling ICTs, low ICT literacy, lack of repairing
facilities, attitudinal barriers towards ICTs, poor finance, lack of training and practical exposure,
high cost of repairing ICTs and insufficient regional language were the major constraints faced by
the farmers in the effective use of ICTs.Increased engagement in social media among rural youths
on farming in order to enhance the communication pattern among themselves and extension
personnel. 6. Since there is lack of repairing centres of ICTs at the village level, vocational training
for the youths on ICT infrastructure would be recommended.

Page 59
 Fig 16: Problem in uptake of ICTs and tools

RESPONSE OF FARMERS
4%

0 1

96%

From the above we can conclude 96% of sample is having the problem in uptake of ICTs. This is due
to the challenges faced by the farmers like illiteracy, lack of training and awareness, inability to take
risk, cost of technology, lack of technological infrastructure etc.

After understanding the concept, we collectively found that:

● Usage of technologies in Basal village (solan district) is very low. In india agriculture is still
labour intensive job which requires lot of man hours, cost and still no profitability.
● Average age of our sample size is 30-40 years with avg literacy of metric class, which can also
be a factor regarding the inability to uptake of technologies. It has been studied that demographic
characteristics like age, location, income etc can also cause hindrance in their uptake of
technology.
● Some Farmers were eager to adopt the technologies, they were even interested to know about the
innovations and Gov. initiatives but they often restrict themselves from taking risk, machineries also
cost them high.

● There are many other problems faced by farmers of basal like:-lack of water supply, poor quality
of seeds purchased from the market, lack of logistical facilities and low rates of market sale.
They are not even able to cover the cost of production.
● Basal village farmers are not getting the desired output from agriculture so they are shifting to
secondary occupation. This is the current situation in India, entire nation depends on their
production but still they do not receive the desired results. It is difficult to cover the costs of
production then how will they manage the huge cost of technologies.
● Basal farmers have also adopted organic farming as well but still didn't get the promised output
(i.e different price for organic vegetables). Govt have always been encouraging farmer to switch
to organic means of farming and reduce the use of chemicals but they fail to ensure that organic
feed costs higher than the regular ones. The sale price is same for both then what has been the
use of switching to organic version from farmers perspective.
● Some Machineries are not effective in hilly areas like in basal farmers were not switching or
updating to farm mechanization because of non effectiveness of the machinery. Machines hardly
work for 2-3 years and depreciates quickly. Farm Mechanization also helps in improving safety
and comfort of the agricultural workers, improvements in the quality and value addition of the
farm produce and also enabling the farmers to increase productivity making Indian agriculture
more competitive & profitable

Page 60
● Knowledge Middle Men with Less Permanency: Most published projects are from educational/
research institutions, which generally, ignored traditional extension system and extension personnel,
those who are serving over a long period in rural India. They implemented time bound ICT projects
and hired “facilitators”. Once, project completes stated objectives and targets, facilitators also
disappear along with the project. In this regard, Digital Green used the services of the public
extension personnel. Even, if project winds-up the learning took place among extension personnel
will be remain for a longer time and more useful to the farmers. In e-Arik case, public extension
personnel are unwilling to collaborate with the ICT project; because of most of the field level
extension personnel never used internet and lack of skill in using other ICTs.

● The ICTs for agricultural extension projects were implemented in very limited geographical area
(except IKSL) and covering few hundreds or at maximum thousands of farmers. Exceptionally, few
projects like farmers call centres and e-Soil Health Card Programme covers entire country. And few
web portals are developed for larger farm stakeholders (AGMARKNET, InDG, e-Krishi,
TNAGRITECH Portal). However, continuous updating and maintaining web portals require
sufficient resources, which are lacking after few years.

● Creating awareness on ICT potentials, ICT using skill and capacity development among the extension
personnel of the public and private extension systems and also among farmers and other stakeholders
in the extension systems will facilitate better usage of ICTs.

● For effective agricultural extension service delivery, the convergence of traditional extension
communication methods (personal contact methods, print media, radio and TV) and new ICTs are to
be appropriately used to reach farm stake holders.

● Most of the ICT initiatives information flow one-way. There was a limited scope for interaction.
Projects such as Farmers Call Centre, Village Resource Centre, e-Arik, e-Sagu, digital green,
Lifelines India and IKSL provide opportunities for interaction among farmers and experts.

● Content need to be aggregated from different sources but it needs to be sorted in collective and
precise format for rapid adaptation for local use. Localisation and customizability of content are still
are not practiced on a significant scale. If sufficient scientific information is not available, content
need to be generated, tested, refined and used for further advisory services through ICTs. Most of the
web portals lack relevant content in local language.

● Looking at the pattern of land holdings in India, it may be noted that about 84 % of the holdings
are below 1 hectare. There is a need for huge efforts in encouraging farmers, creating awareness
about effectiveness of ICTs and farm mechanization which will enhance production and
productivity of agriculture. In the existing scenario of land fragmentation resulting in shrinkage
of average size of operational holdings, percentage of marginal, small and semi-medium
operational holdings. Such small holding makes individual ownership of agricultural machinery
uneconomic and operationally inviable

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5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Technological empowerment is essential for evergreen revolution and digital agriculture is

one of the best way outs for the same. However, digital agricultural interventions need to be
pro-poor i.e. technology should be economical and affordable in adoption and
implementation, as 80% farmers are small or marginal and 22% of farmers are below poverty
line.
2. In rural India, the percentage of women who depend on agriculture for their livelihood is as
high as 84%. Women make up about 33% of cultivators and about 47% of agricultural
labourers, making them an important client for ICT. It is recommended that appropriate
digital strategies need to be designed where Women Self Help Groups (like Jeevika in Bihar)
can take advantage of digital strategies. Also, training of women farmers need to be
organized to abreast them with the technology and to enhance their competencies for its
utilization.
3. The real impacts of ICT strategies can be realised only when these services are available,
accessible and applicable by the farmers. It is recommended to strengthening the existing
initiatives that provide local language knowledge and services
4. Policy-related research is needed to narrow the gap between practice and policy, including
assessing the impact of ICT on agriculture. As there is no platform to share this data and
analysis on an ongoing basis. Therefore, we need to create a platform where all ICT players in
agriculture are willing to share and use data and experiences so that people can learn
collectively, but the initiative is in progress and constantly new.
5. There is a need to integrate the efforts of various portals with the Farmers Portal of GOI. For
this, it is recommended to have an inventory of existing portals. One area where Indian
council of food and agriculture (ICFA) can take the lead is working on the concepts of Next
Generation Transaction (Service + collaborative) Portals that are mobile responsive. A policy
dialogue on providing a single gateway (like Pay TM) for Indian farmers can be advocated.
6. Special machinery should be developed which would be effective in hilly region and be
suitable for all geographic conditions as well, so farmers can adopt the technologies easily
without and geographical constraint.
7. Emphasis must be given by the government in providing the requisite knowledge and training
through ICT’s. The government should regularly keep updating farmers about their upcoming
technologies and their operations through camps, panchayat meetings fairs, agri-events and
personnel interactions.
8. Government should put more efforts in the field of agriculture so as to maintain the trust in
farmers mind.
9. Face to face/ in-person training or knowledge should be given about the new technologies and
new innovations in rural areas through

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 10. The process of application for subsides should be accelerated so that farmers can consider
investing in technologies.
11. Certifications of trademark seller for quality of seeds, fertilizers should be emphazised for
better productivity.
12. Government should introduce and promote the concept of smart villages in the policy making
as well as administration in order to make villages more techno-savvy and environmental
sustainable. Also the existing smart village should be used as centers for exposure visits and
training farmers. Mission mode programme to develop clusters of smart villages may be
initiated.
13. Various start-ups with innovative ICT application have entered the agriculture sector in past
few years though sustenance is low due to lesser adoption of technology. Government should
look into the matter and should promote ICT adoption by creating awareness among farming
community.
5.3 CONCLUSION

The importance of using technology effectively in agriculture has been identified with the main
objective of meeting the food requirements of individuals. India has achieved great success in
agriculture, but the productivity of major agricultural and horticultural crops is low compared to
other countries. The use of technology is still lacking. The country's yield per hectares of food
grains, fruits and vegetables are far below the global average. India's most productive states also lag
behind the global average. Similarly, the productivity of pulses and oilseeds can be increased by
considering seeds, soil health, pest management, crop life-saving irrigation techniques, and
harvesting techniques.
India's population is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2025, making food security the most important
social problem, and increasing food production to meet the needs. In a growing population. In rural
areas, people live in poverty and disadvantaged conditions. Agriculture is the primary occupation of
individuals. In rural areas, technology and the use of modern and innovative techniques can be
beneficial to improve the living conditions of individuals and reduce the problems of poverty. There
are many technologies and people working in the field of agriculture and they should have
knowledge of farming practices and how to best use them.
Knowledge of farming practices can be achieved with the help of Information and communication
tools and technologies. ICT plays an important role in the development and economic development
of the country. ICT has already emerged in e-commerce, but e-agriculture has not yet set foot.
Precision agriculture is a term used for the use of advanced techniques in agriculture, thereby
improving the amount of production. KCC provides first-class solutions to problems related to
agriculture. CSC can be used as an information kiosk for easy and quick access to information on
agriculture. The integration of e-commerce and e-agriculture is one of the best options in view of
the successful implementation of many e-commerce solutions. E-Agriculture is an emerging field at
the intersection of agricultural information, agricultural development and entrepreneurship, which
refers to information delivered or augmented by agricultural services, technology dissemination,
and the Internet and related technologies. ICT plays an important role not only in strengthening the
capacity of farmers but also in functionally large scale authorities and stakeholders.

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Developing the right or relevant content at the right level is always challenging and requires more
effort in this direction. Content development is not a one-time process and requires a consistent
approach. There is a need to explore the possibility of mandating district level institutions like the
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) to develop local equipment. Policy-related research is needed to
narrow the gap between practice and policy, including assessing the impact of ICT on agriculture.
As there is no platform to share this data and analysis on an ongoing basis, they are not available to
analysts and policymakers to make informed decisions. Therefore, we need to create a platform
where all ICT players in agriculture are willing to share and use data and experiences so that people
can learn collectively, but the initiative is in progress and constantly new.
Through this study, it is evident that the effective usage of technology in the agricultural sector is
low as of now. In the present scenario farmers face challenges in the adoption of technology like the
inability of farmers to use ICT, the cost of technology, lack of technological infrastructure, they
don’t have enough time to spend on technology, lack of training and majority of them are not aware
of the technology. Hence emphasis must be given by the government in providing the requisite
knowledge and training through ICT’s. The government should regularly keep updating farmers
about their upcoming technologies and their operations
Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare Centers of Agricultural Machineries’
operated by Cooperative Societies, Self Help Groups and private/rural entrepreneur are the best
alternative in enabling easy availability of farm machineries to the farmers and bringing about
improvement of farm productivity for the benefits of Small & Marginal farmers

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 Harikrishan M and Hiremath B N (2009), Livelihood perspective of Rural infrastructure and E-
governance readiness in India: A case based study
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Agriculture in India. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), New Delhi,
India.
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Kumar
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Agriculture-pooja jain & rekha

 “ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN ADVANCEMENT OF INDIAN AGRICULTURE” Jyoti 
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WEBSITES
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 http://agricoop.nic.in/

APPENDIX
Tool of primary study

OBJECTIVE- To study the Use and Effect of Information and communication

tools & Technology in Himachal Pradesh(BASAL)
Name:

Gender: Male/Female/Other

Age group: Below 30 years between 30-40 years between 40 -50 years
above 50 yrs

Professional Qualifications: Below 10th Above 10th Graduation ________

Post graduation__________________

Occupation: Main Secondary

Years______________________________________________

Annual Household Income in 5years(Gross in Rs.) Below 1.5 lakh 1 - 3 lakh

3 - 5 lakh Above 5lakh

General Size of land holding under operation Below 1 Biga Between 1- 2.5 Biga
Between 2.5 - 5 Biga Between 5– 10 biga Above 10 Biga

1) Are you aware about ICTs and technologies in agricultural sector? Yes No

2)If No, what are the sources of information you use for agricultural practices?
Television Fax & Telephone Other(s)____________
Radio Mobile

3) IF Yes, How long you have been using ICT’s in agriculture?

_________________________________________________________________________

4) What is the main sector of activity?

Plant production Animal breeding Livestock management

Horticulture Other: __________________

5) In which area do you use (hardware) technology in agricultural practices? (Multiple

options can be selected)

AREA TECHONOLGY YES NO REMARKS

PRODUCTI Baler
ON Tractor
Seeders &
Planters
Shredders &
Cutters
Mini Tractor
Field cultivator
SOIL Cultipackers
CULTIVATI plough
ON Rotary tiller
Strip tiller
Harrows
PLANTING Seed drill
METHODS Broadcast
seeders
Seed cum
fertilizer drill
system
FERTILIZIN Slurry tank
G AND Sprayer
FORECAST
S
Centrifugal pump
IRRIGATIO Submersible
N pump
METHODS Fire sprinkler
system
Centre irrigation
Drip irrigation
HARVESTI Combine
NG & harvester
THRESHIN Mower
G Reaper
Thresher
OTHERS

NONE OF
THE
ABOVE

6) Which of the ICT tools (software tech) you use in agricultural practices (multiple
options can be selected)
 ICTs tools YES NO REMARKS
MKrishi
Agri M edia app
IFFCO Kissan
app
mKisan Portal
Agri Market
Kisan suvidha
app
RiceXpert
Farmer’s Portal
Soil test card
e-NAM
Kissan call center
Others

7) What changes did you find after the adoption of ICTs ( before and after effects)
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________
8) What were the major issues/ challenges you faced during adoption of ICT’s in
agriculture?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________