How E-Technology Helps Farmer In Agriculture?

Introducing e-technology in the Agriculture sector is a challenging initiative as 70% of the Indian population is dependent on the agriculture sector. The three pillars of e-technology: Agri-extension & Information, Services, and Research can help farmers to achieve their ultimate goals, which are to increase production and reduce the cost of cultivation. In India, the increase in the use of E-technology like remote sensing satellite technology, theories of agronomy and soil sciences, and geographical information systems can bring a lot more change.

Following are the ways by which e-technologies are helping farmers in agriculture -
1. The strategically placed farm security cameras can capture the images of anyone entering the property. This technology helps in protecting the farm from uninvited intruders.
2. The Remote sensing technology detects and identifies heat signatures of planted crops and animals.
3. Global Positioning System (GPS) can be used for farm planning, field mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance, crop scouting, variable rate applications, and yield mapping. It also allows farmers to accurately navigate to specific locations in the field, year after year, to collect soil samples or monitor crop conditions.
4. Automatic milking systems are computer-controlled stand-alone systems that milk dairy cattle without human labor. Automatic milking eliminates the farmer from the actual milking process, allowing them more time for other activities.
5. Many mobile applications like the Agrivi app and TractorPal can also be used.

Advantages of E-Technology in digitally empowering farmers

1. Cost Minimization– by reducing transaction costs, using precision agriculture optimizes the cost of cultivation.
2. Transparent System – Red-tapism is reduced using ICT, for example, DBT through Jan-Dhan, PMKISAN use of AADHAR makes the system transparent.
3. Decision Making and Planning: By having the necessary information, farmers—big and small can make better and more informed decisions concerning their agricultural activities.
4. Breaking Geographical Barriers: India has diverse agro-climatic zones with different requirements for each area, such a complex system can be made simpler with the use of Big data Analytics, Robotics, etc.
5. Minimizing Corruption: The biggest hurdle is the trickle-down effect is not observed as the government aid does not trickle down to lower strata and benefits are taken away by affluent farmers. ICT will help in minimizing this.

In India, we can use this e-technology to digitally empower the farmers which will transform the Agriculture sector and will help in achieving the dream of doubling farmers' income.

By: Jyoti Nayak
Birla School, Pilani