Application of Information and Communication Technology for Dissemination of Agricultural Information among Farmers: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Agriculture is the backbone of India's economy as two-third of the population live in rural areas and directly or indirectly depend on agriculture for their livelihood. India's food production has improved significantly during the last three decades due to all-round efforts but Indian agriculture is still facing a multitude of problems to maximize productivity to feed the continuously increasing population. Access to information and improved communication is a prerequisite for sustainable agricultural development. The use of information and communication technology (ICT) is an important pillar of agriculture extension and different sources and channels of agriculture information can play important role to meet the requirement. The use of modern information technology needs to be promoted for communication among scientists, extension workers and farmers to transfer the information and new technologies in a cost effective manner. An increased access to the scientific knowledge and information through information technology will help people specially the rural communities in making informed decisions and solving their problems by applying scientific methods. The present paper deals with the constraints and work out strategy for making information and communication technology effective for farmers. Information and communication technology is the backbone of modern development in almost all the sectors which can enhance agricultural and rural development by the transformation of the rural communities. Hence efforts should be made for increased and improved investment in ICT infrastructure and capacity development through the proper implementation of ICT policy.