1. I.C.T. With Apple Project India

2. ICT Activities Have Been Associated With Apple Project India By The End Of Year 2009 Before that  The whole Apple Project activities were handled manually on papers.  There were no systematic process of record keeping of farmers and project related activities.  There exist a poor communication infrastructure among the collection centers and the Head Office.  Same poor communication exist with the farmers also. Before that  The whole Apple Project activities were handled manually on papers.  There were no systematic process of record keeping of farmers and project related activities.  There exist a poor communication infrastructure among the collection centers and the Head Office.  Same poor communication exist with the farmers also.

3. Information & Communication Technology  The advent of ICT with this project has changed the scenario of cultivation and the livelihood of these unreachable villages.  ICT is the right step for supporting agriculture into a new dimension as it plays an important role by giving solution to the challenges faced by the farmers as well as the organization and also accelerate earnings.

4. Impact of I.C.T. The impact of an ICT deployment with Apple Project India is incremental. Apple Project India comprises of different stakeholders. Each and every stakeholder has an equal importance in the ICT model, t his includes small and marginal farmers to farmer trusts, management team, funding agencies, etc.

6. ICT initially started working with this project - by establishing link between small producers of various villages to the nearest village center office(s) and different village center offices to the nearest collection center office(s).

7. ICT Services Different nearby villages are connected to village center office. The main activities of the village center offices are to work as a resource center for the framers. To look after their agriculture related Problems. Provide Agri. and Market information. Different nearby villages are connected to village center office. The main activities of the village center offices are to work as a resource center for the framers. To look after their agriculture related Problems. Provide Agri. and Market information.

8. ICT Services The other activities of the village center offices are to work with Farmer Database Management Information System. Details information of  Personal details.  Land details.  Numbers of trees.  Average age of trees  Livelihood information  Forecast and Planning, etc. The other activities of the village center offices are to work with Farmer Database Management Information System. Details information of  Personal details.  Land details.  Numbers of trees.  Average age of trees  Livelihood information  Forecast and Planning, etc.

9. ICT Services Implemented Establishes link between Apple Producers, Village Centers, Collection Centers and Head Office. Agricultural information transfer and sharing. Farmers’ Database Management Information System. Online system implemented at every Collection Centers.

10. ICT Services Implemented M.I.S. on planning and target of Apple collection prior to apple season. Current market price Price Build up. Timely arrival schedule to market. Purchasing Apples from the farmers. Purchasing Apples from the farmers. Processing flow and Inventory Management. M.I.S. on Ownership transfer and profit Distribution to the farmers.

11. ICT Services Implemented Mobile information services  Introducing Small Message Services for the farmers.  Web enabled transit activity monitoring. ICT kiosk at different village centers.

12. All these activities are fully controlled by the customized software which is developed and maintained by in-house ICT team.

13. Web Based Services Recently we have introduce web based services for smooth processing of our works. Our in house team developed two software for L.T.S Activities and other for whole Apple Project Operation.

14. Future Plan of ICT Local Weather Forecasting for next 24 to 48 hour. News  Agri News.  Horti Culture News. Develop web based technology to connect all that village centers and collection centers … in process. Soil testing and Input Application advice … in process. Developing MIS on Livelihood on Apple Farmers …. in process. Local Weather Forecasting for next 24 to 48 hour. News  Agri News.  Horti Culture News. Develop web based technology to connect all that village centers and collection centers … in process. Soil testing and Input Application advice … in process. Developing MIS on Livelihood on Apple Farmers …. in process.

15. Future Plan of ICT Net Banking for the farmers  Mobile banking services. ICT kiosk with internet facility for the farmers/ villagers. Business Web site for every collection center, completion stage. Online account for every farmer with Apple Project Software, …… in process.

16. CHALLENGES WITH I.C.T. Lack of information and communication facilities. Poor infrastructure of information and communication delivery channels. Lack of baseline information about the farmers. Again adaptability and readiness to involve with the new technology. Excessive rain and snowfall also effect the functioning ICT. Lack of information and communication facilities. Poor infrastructure of information and communication delivery channels. Lack of baseline information about the farmers. Again adaptability and readiness to involve with the new technology. Excessive rain and snowfall also effect the functioning ICT.

17. Thank You. Utpal Chandra