22 ICT Initiatives for Development

P. Jaisridhar

epgp books

 

 

 

 

1. INTRODUCTION

 

In today’s world, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have become more common and part and part of human life. It plays many roles for a country’s overall growth and economic development. Among all developing countries, the presence of ICT is greatly felt in India. People here use ICT devices mainly to access and share data information available around the world from any part of the country and at any time with just one click. In the last fifteen years, India’s economic growth has been remarkable in trade and commerce, communication technologies, education, transportation, agriculture and administration mainly due to development of advanced software and service based applications. India stands as a role model for many other countries in framing ICT based policies and implementing independent strategies for global contracts (Carmel 2003; Heeks and Nicholson 2004). Since, its significance is highly realised by the Government, bureaucrats and policy makers’ efforts are now being carried out to utilize ICT tools for improving the lives of the Indian rural maases and people below poverty line.

 

1.1. What exactly is the role of ICT?

 

Well, ICT is basically a facilitator which eases transfer of technology process by means of electronic devises (i.e.) a computer or a laptop or a tablet or a smart phone. These devices actually performs the role of information processing by obtaining data from communication tools like telephone cables, wireless networks, routers, mobile towers, internets, process them into a message or a product and delivers it to the end users. ICT is an important component for agri business in India. With its available infrastructure and appropriate strategies, ICT enables productivity in Indian markets and is still the only factor behind India’s trading success. Research conducted on ICT have shown positive effects but still, the change in the attitude of the people and institutional requirement to host any ICT based devices remains a fundamental problem. This may be due to lack of funds, range of advanced technologies and tools, high cost and sudden transformation from conventional to advanced technologies. However, we need to accept the fact that in present scenario, ICT based service providers have become huge in the market and the sector is constantly growing. Mobile phones are the best examples to be considered at this portion of study.

 

Today, mobile phones are purchased and used even by a common man at his affordability. What is the reason? Because, many companies in the market viz., Samsung, Microsoft, Apple, Vivo, Micromax etc, are developing some feature or the other that attracts people to buy it. Most of the time, these features are not kept constant on the phone. Once an upgraded version of the same phone comes in market with added features, human mentality strives to purchase it. Although it is a business tactics, the device has made such an impression among common public. Many in today’s fast moving life uses multiple ICT tools to equip their knowledge by collecting, storing and sharing information among one another.

 

1.2. Innovations of ICT in India

 

A silent revolution is taking place in the communication systems inRural India. The National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, MANAGE, Hyderabad, has taken-up a number of “ICT” initiatives, across the country. District level Web Sites are being hosted, Information Kiosks are being established at block/ Mandal and village levels and technical and other need based information is being collected, digitized and hosted on the Internet. Agriculture continues to be the occupation and way of life for more than half of Indian population even today. Sustainable prosperity of this class – the farmers, the land-less agricultural labourers holds the key for improving the overall Human Resource Development scenario in the country. Indian Agriculture had been on traditional lines till the first waves of Green Revolution in late 60s. The Green Revolution gave a sudden boost to the production and productivity of major cereals in the assured irrigated areas. Quick dissemination of Technological information from the Agricultural Research System to the Farmers in the field and reporting of farmers’ feedback to the research system is one of the critical inputs in Transfer of Agricultural Technology. The information and communication support during last 50 years has mainly been conventional. The extension personnel of the Department of Agriculture disseminated the technological messages to the farmers manually. This approach has not been able to reach majority of the farmers who are spread across the whole country. This gap remains a challenge for theExtension system even today. To reach over 110 million farmers, spread over 500 districts and over 6000 blocks is an uphill task. The diversity of agro-ecological situations adds to this challenge further. Farmers’ needs are muchmore diversified and the knowledge required to address them is beyond thecapacity of the grass root level extension functionaries.

 

Today, it is possible to find a solution to this situation by using the potential of Internet based technologies to meet the location specific information needs of the Farmers. Information and communication networks are expanding very fast. The number of Internet connections in India has crossed the two million mark and the number of telephone connections is over 320 million. Internet connectivity has touched almost all the districts in the country and is moving down to the block and Mandal levels. The initial response has been very encouraging. Therefore, to test the efficacy of reaching the last man in the country, the National Institute of Agriculture Extension Management (MANAGE) under the National Agriculture Technology Project (NATP) scheme established internet hubs in 24 districts of 8 States viz., Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Orissa, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on pilot basis. MANAGE selected successful Mutually Aided Co-operative Thrift and Credit Societies (MACTCS), organized by Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWACRA) groups in 10 villages of Rangareddy District. One multimedia computer system, with UPS, Printer and Internetconnectivity was provided to each MACTCS. 4 members identified by the group were trained in basic computer operations and Internet browsing. Multimedia CDs on Agriculture- The Interactive Self Learning Package on Watershed Management, The Vivasaya Panchangam (Encyclopedia of Agricultural Practices), Paddy, Cotton, Mango and Coconut Cultivation, Expert Systems on selected crops and Rural Development – Pickle Making, Child Labour, Child Education, Nutrition and Health Education, etc. were given to all the Groups. A user-friendly accounting package was given to all the MACTCS to maintain their accounts and 2 members were trained to use it. The experiences of these groups have shown that they have been usingthe Internet in innovative ways. They are browsing DRDA websites for Government Programmes and schemes. They are looking for Weather forecasts, market prices, job opportunities, news on the Net regularly. They have also started to charge for some of these services selectively. This provided a good opportunity to the Rural Information Kiosks to earn some revenue. Farmers are also using the Net for getting technical advice online from various sources. A number of Universities, government departments and also some private entrepreneurs have hosted Agricultural Web Sites. The Agricultural Information Base on the Net, is building up slowly but surely. MANAGE has taken the initiative to provide linkages to the technical and other farmer friendly information through its Web-Site. MANAGE is also supporting a number of Agricultural Universities to digitize their technical information and host the same on the Web. These websites have improved the information dissemination of these institutions significantly.

 

2. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA

 

In India, the extensive network of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and its tools have led to the increased capability of information diffusion and technology adaptation among rural population.The MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in Puducherry for example established village knowledge centre with an aim to attract the rural population with available ICT tools and make them utilize its service for their livelihood improvement. The project received good number of support and participation from the localities because, the information provided to them through these ICT channels were available in local language which facilitated even the illiterate citizen to utilize the information properly. Similarly, the India Tobacco Company launched e-choupal (an information kiosk) in June 2000 for assisting the rural people with day-to-day weather information, market price and package of practices in scientific agriculture. The response was so impressive among local people which made the company establish 1200 e-choupal kiosks across four states viz., Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The company never stopped just with establishment of such centres. It identified potential farmers whom they called (Sanchalak) and gave them short term training on how to operate the kiosk and even today, e-choupal stands to be the most successful ICT model for dissemination of agricultural information. Having seen the success of ICT at various states and service motto of the private organisations, the Department of Agriculture too had established some of the ICT based initiatives in the country. Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu which is well known for progressive agriculture had made all agricultural commodity transactions online. Periyanayakanpalayam, a block in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu is one among successful block in initiating ICT project. Having a population of 66,000 farmers around the block, the office of the Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA), Periyanayakanpalayam had taken steps to put 4370 farmers in one platform for utilizing the benefits of this initiative. Today, these farmers sell their produce online with the help of a software called Farmers Crop Management System (FCMS) installed at the ADA office, Periyanayakanpalayam. Most of the agricultural goods, especially flowers goes to Kerala through FCMS transaction only. Once the farmer is registered in the software, he becomes a liable customer of that software and is fully permitted to utilize it and transact his produce through it. The software not only helps farmers to transact his produce but also provide up-to-date market information to them so that he can be aware on when to sell his produce and where. Likewise, Madhya Pradesh state agricultural department is utilizing the services of SATCOM centres to telecast its agricultural programmes on every Monday between 3.00 PM to 5.00 PM. The programme is broadcasted as a two way communication mode where the audience who watches the show can also call and talk with the experts and get their queries answered instantly. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University utilize the service of Makkal TV to disseminate agricultural technology every day. The program is a live show telecasted in Tamil language where farmers can participate the show by calling and getting their queries answered.

 

3. ICT INITIATIVES IN INDIA

 

The changing context of agricultural development in reducing poverty viz., strengthening value addition chain, sustainable use of Natural Resources, Climate Change and Biodiversity and the complexity of agricultural commodity chains viz., multi community, transnational food chains, global competitiveness, focus on assuring food safety and security etc have led to the improved thoughts and effective utilization of ICT. ICT not only delivers timely information about markets and crops but also provides opportunities for poor to improve their economic status. Let us consider agriculture and food market for example. In the information age, agriculture and food market are often inadequate, isolated, unevenly distributed and non-standardized. The decision making power and the information utilization of an individual have also gone vulnerable. The information flows are increasingly becoming complex in the context of market-based food chains which are spread over several countries and which have multiple intermediaries. Therefore, to channelize the information flows in market linked agriculture, openness is needed. This will improve the efficiency in exchanging information along with commodity and money. It improves market chain and can bring innovativeness to products and activities along market chain. AGMARKNET is one such ICT initiatives implemented by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s welfare, Government of India for linking all important Agricultural Produce and Marketing Committee (APMCS), State Marketing Boards and DMI’s regional offices for effective exchange of market information and prices. AGMARKNET is a step towards globalizing Indian agriculture and empowering rural masses. Another initiative is e- Auction by the Tea Board of India. There are totally six e-auction centres viz., Kolkata, Siliguri, Guwahati, Cochin, Coimbatore and Coonoor that provides access to manufacturers, warehouses, auctioneers, buyers and sellers on various functionalities associated with the software. It is an end-to-end process which involves from creation of invoice copy till the tea is delivered to the warehouses. Another initiative is by Thomson Reuters called Reuters Market Light (RML). RML provides mobile based agricultural information to the farming community. In across 13 states, RML has influenced the lives of over one million subscribers from around 50,000 villages across 13 states in the country. Information in RML are available for more than 300 crops and about 1300 markets. Kisan Sanchar Limited is yet another ICT initiative by Indian Farmer Fertilizer Company (IFFCO) which helps farmers acquire information on weather, crop and animal husbandry related advice, rural health initiatives, fertilizers availability etc. Information are provided through text and voice messages. Five messages per day is provided to its members on the above said issues. In case if a farmer need to have a conversation with the officials of Kisan Sanchar Limited, they are facilitated with a call back option along with a helpline number. Similarly, Gramin Suvidha Kendra is a single window service based ICT project initiated by Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd and India Post to make farming economically sustainable by empowering farmers with present and future market price of their commodity. It supports decision making process of the individual by providing critical market linkages throughout the crop cycle and thereby contributing towards the socio economic growth of a farmer. Krishidoot is an ICT initiative that brings producer communities and agri business companies in one platform and create an effective value chain to give high net price for produce and better choice of market for producers and business ease, better access with farmers and transparent negotiations for business companies. These are some of the ICT initiatives in India.

 

3.1. ICT for gender development

 

Tamil Nadu is a land of diversity. In this modern era, the Informationand Communication Technology (ICT) revolution has not only opened up new opportunities for economic growth and social development but has also posed problems and challenges. It can shape and enhance wide range of developmental applications in agriculture, industry and social sectors and is influencing all sections of the society. ICT provides unique opportunities for human development. At the same time, ICT has been widening the gaps between and within the state, districts, taluks and gender, while increasing disparities divide between the rural-urban, rich-poor, elite neglected and also within the different categories of women in various spheres of activity. It is necessary to build up women capacities to involve them in productive activities, institutional building, family and social transformation, decision making process, political representation, trade and commerce, entrepreneurial development and social leadership. There is a need to enhance opportunities to women to enable them to own, manage and control industries and service enterprises including IT-based units. There is also need to provide more opportunities in e – related sectors to them in higher managerial, technical positions in government and non-government agencies, research, educational institutions in private and public sectors, without confining their role to only call centres, telecentres, data-entry level and lower levels in the organizations. ICT has to address to all these problems of women as a whole and has to be used to facilitate to build a women empowered society.

 

3.2. Limitations of ICT in technology dissemination

  • Time interval is more while providing information services to the farmers
  • Not all ICT initiatives covers market. Some provides information on weather and some on crop advisor. Even these ICTs never necessarily touch all the nooks and corners.
  • Only limited number of commodities are covered through ICT initiatives.
  • Usually local varieties of crops are not given much important and hence many ICT projects neglects the provision of market information for local varieties.
  • There are gaps in utilising the information by farmers and extension functionaries.
you can view video on ICT Initiatives for Development

References

 

  • http://www.ejisdc.org/ojs2/index.php/ejisdc/article/view/665
  • http://www.caluniv.ac.in/global-mdia
  • journal/Winter%20Issue%20December%202011%20Commentaries/C-6%20Ahuja.pdf
  • http://itidjournal.org/itid/article/view/560
  • https://www.researchgate.net/file.PostFileLoader.html?id=57737dd85b4952c48e47c62d&ass etKey=AS%3A378222370934784%401467186648161
  • http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/204800
  • http://www.caluniv.ac.in/global-mdia journal/Winter%20Issue%20December%202011%20Commentaries/C7%20-%20Ghosh.pdf
  • https://www.itu.int/osg/spu/ni/digitalbridges/presentations/12-Jhunjhunwala.pdf
  • http://www.agrobiosindia.com/SamplePages/4300030.pdf
  • https://www.mygov.in/sites/default/files/user_comments/Digital%20India-Agriculture.pdf
  • http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un-dpadm/unpan042671.pdf
  • http://digitalindia.gov.in/content/recent-e-governance-initiatives
  • http://www.uasb.in/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/147.35285322.pdf
  • http://www.ifpri.org/publication/relevance-content-ict-initiatives-indian-agriculture