How does e-Technology help farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce? Explain it

Q3. How does e-Technology help farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce? Explain it. (10m) – Agriculture

Introduction

Importance of Agriculture –

• Core sector for food security, nutritional security, and sustainable development & for poverty alleviation. It contributes approx. 14 % of GDP.
• Dominated by small and marginal farmers (80%), Increasing their productivity and incomes can make a major contribution to reducing hunger and poverty.

E technology in aid of farmers

• Given the importance of agriculture, leveraging technology can play an important role in enhancing productivity, technology transfer to provide relevant tools, knowledge and know how to farmers.

Role in Increasing Production of Agricultural Produce

• Online marketplace for Inputs: Direct to Farm channels can come up using technology bypassing middlemen and retailers.

•  UPL, a traditional agrochemical player is providing mechanisation services, agrochemicals via is online platform (nurture.farm)

•  Digital enabled DBT in fertiliser sales.

• Access to Credit: Firms (banks and non-banks) engaged in financing through farm and rural loans can provide targeted products and reduce loans risk

• SBI Yono Krishi app to meet farmers finance, inputs and advisory needs.

• Providing for mechanisation: Companies selling farm equipment can provide mechanisation as a service to farmers.

•  Mahindra, offers a tractor rental service.

• Access to Information: Information related to weather, market signals, etc. can be shared with the farmers quickly regardless of the location. This will help farmers take quick and decisive steps. 

• mKisan portal & SMS service offer farmers timely weather, market prices & crop advisories on mobiles, aiding quick decisions.

• Proper Monitoring of crops and livestock can take place through the use of e-technology

• • • Sensors deployed to monitor soil conditions, ear tag technology from providers such as Smartbow to monitor illness, herd infection etc. 

•  E.g: Kisan Suvidha app empowers farmers with crop prices, weather updates, agro-advisories, and nearby input dealers for informed decisions.

• Management of Spatial data: Geographic Information System (GIS) can be used to manage and analyse spatial data relating to crop productivity and agronomic factors.

•  E.g.: Bhuvan, ISRO’s portal, integrates GIS, satellite data, and weather info to assess crop losses, map affected areas, and expedite insurance claims for timely farmer compensation.

Role in the marketing of agricultural produce

• Supply chain management: Create Market linkages for farmers so that they can better sell their produce.

•  E.g. ITC has used its e-Choupal network to expand direct-from-farm procurement over the past 20 years.

•  Price Information: This can provide transparency and ensure better prices for farmers.

•  E – NAM (National Agriculture Market), connects existing APMC mandis, forming a unified national market and better price realization.

• Digital reach through farm collectivization: Farmer producer organisations, collectivise fragmented farmer base and help companies to access and scale their business models.

•  E.g. Samunnati has pioneered an approach that anticipates and creates forward-looking solutions for farmer collectives.

•  Access to Information: Various stakeholders can be provide agricultural marketing related information from a single window

•  E.g. AGMARKNET portal provides information to various stakeholders such as farmers, industry, policymakers and academic institutions etc.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian agriculture, e-technology emerges as a catalyst for growth and sustainability. By bridging the gap between farmers and resources, it not only boosts production and marketing but also paves the way for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.

As we embrace the digital age, the synergy between technology and agriculture holds the promise of a brighter and more inclusive future for our farmers and the nation as a whole.

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