Course Content
Entrepreneurial Development (Unit 8)
ASRB NET / SRF & Ph.D. Extension Education
Concept of ICT and Its Role in Agriculture and Rural Development

Concept of ICT

  • ICT (Information and Communication Technology) refers to all digital and communication technologies that help in the collection, processing, storage, dissemination, and exchange of information.
  • It includes hardware, software, networks, and media for transmission of information in various forms such as text, audio, video, and images.
  • In simple words, ICT is the use of electronic means (computers, internet, mobile phones, radio, TV, satellites, etc.) for information handling and communication.

 

ICT in Agriculture

  • Agriculture is an information-intensive sector where farmers need timely, accurate, and location-specific information on weather, crop management, input use, market trends, and government schemes.
  • ICT tools bridge the information gap between research institutions, extension agencies, and farmers.
  • It enhances precision farming, efficient input use, and better marketing.

 

Major ICT tools in agriculture:

  • Print Media: Farm magazines, newspapers.
  • Electronic Media: TV, Radio (Community radio, Kisan Vani).
  • Internet-based: Websites, portals (e.g., e-Choupal, Kisan Call Centres, Agmarknet, mKisan Portal, e-NAM).
  • Mobile-based ICT: SMS advisories, apps (e.g., Pusa Krishi, Meghdoot, Kisan Suvidha).
  • GIS, Remote Sensing, and GPS: For precision farming and crop monitoring.
  • Social Media: WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook for knowledge sharing.

 

Role of ICT in Agriculture and Rural Development

Agricultural Extension & Advisory Services

  • Timely dissemination of weather forecasts, pest/disease alerts, and management practices.
  • Kisan Call Centre (1800-180-1551) provides expert solutions in local languages.

Market Access & Price Information

  • ICT provides farmers real-time market prices (Agmarknet, e-NAM).
  • Reduces role of middlemen, improves bargaining power.

Education & Capacity Building

  • e-Learning modules for farmers, students, and extension workers.
  • Agricultural universities use ICT for virtual classrooms, MOOCs.

Precision Farming & Resource Management

  • GIS, GPS, and remote sensing help in soil mapping, irrigation scheduling, fertilizer application.
  • Efficient resource utilization → reduces cost, increases yield.

e-Governance & Policy Support

  • ICT helps in implementation of schemes like PM-KISAN, crop insurance, soil health cards.
  • Online databases for farmers’ registration and subsidy delivery.

Rural Development & Empowerment

  • Digital literacy improves decision-making and reduces dependency.
  • Promotes women empowerment (self-help groups using ICT for microenterprises).
  • Encourages rural youth in agripreneurship and startups.

Disaster & Risk Management

  • Early warning systems for floods, drought, cyclones.
  • Crop insurance claim settlement through remote sensing data.
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