Use of ICT in Decision support for enhancing Kharif production Dr. Sharad Godha Addl. DAG (Ext.) Rajasthan Dr. Sharad Godha Addl. DAG (Ext.) Rajasthan Group III

Agriculture is an important sector with the majority of the rural population in developing countries depending on it. The sector faces major challenges of enhancing production in a situation of dwindling natural resources necessary for production. The growing demand for agricultural products, however, also offers opportunities for producers to sustain and improve their livelihoods. Information and communication technologies (ICT) play an important role in addressing these challenges and uplifting the livelihoods of the rural poor. This article explores the potential contribution of ICT to the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and the efficiency of the agricultural sector in developing countries.

 Rajasthan is the largest State in the Country with a geographical area of 34.2 million ha. (10.4% of the country's land area). It is situated in the North West India bordering Pakistan, U.P. in the east, Punjab in the North, MP & Gujarat in the South & South west, Haryana in the Northern East covering total population of million as per 2011 census. Over 75% live in the rural areas and about 70% of the labour force is engaged in Agriculture.  For administrative convenience the State is divided into 33 Districts, which are further sub-divided into 296 Panchayat Samities. With regards to Agriculture structure, the State is divided in 10 Agro Climate Zone, 33 Districts and 68 clusters (Sub Districts).

I A I B I C II A II B III A III B IV A IV B V Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur Bikaner Sri Ganga Nagar Hanuman garh Churu Jhunjhunu Sikar Nagaur Jaipur Tonk Ajmer Bhilwara Raj Samand Raj Samand Udaipur Chittor Garh Chittor Garh Bundi Kota Baran Jhalawar Sawai Madhopur Sawai Madhopur Dausa Karauli Dholpur Bharatpur Alwar Pali Jalore Sirohi Dungarpur Banswara

Perticulars AREAPRODUCTIONYIELD (Area in Lac Hects)(Prod. in Lac tonnes/Pales)(Yield in Kg./ha.) CEREALS RICE JOWAR BAJRA MAIZE S. MILLETS TOTAL PULSES K. PULSES ARHAR TOTAL OIL SEEDS SESAMUM G.NUT SOYABEAN CASTOR SEED TOTAL OTHERS SUGARCANE COTTON GUAR OTHERS

 66% population depends on agriculture and AH.  They contribute 28 % to SDP at current prices.  However, agriculture in the State is primarily rain-fed ( 70% of the cultivated area))  Irrigation (30% of cultivated area) dependent largely on ground water  Growth in this sector is critical for the state and its people

 Precarious water regime  Uneven, unstable production from year to year  Deteriorating soil health & water quality  Significantly lower productivity for all crops, compared to best states/ world  Low Surpluses, low private investments  Inadequate marketing linkages / support  Low R & D investments / effort – specially for drought prone / rain-fed areas  Consequently traditional agriculture, traditionally practiced  Inequity between irrigated and un irrigated areas

Main Phases in Agriculture Crop selectionLand selection Calendar definition Access of Credit Land preparation SowingInput managementWater ManagementFertilizationPest Management MarketingTransportationPackingFood Processing Pre Cultivation Crop Cultivation and Harvesting Post harvest Information for the selection of crop according to land and access to input & credit market Information for management of cropping activities & anthropogenic shocks Information related to post harvest techniques & tools, Marketing, Transportation etc

Crop Selection Decision Support System (DSS), modeling software, e/m-learning, e/m consulting, Knowledge Management System (KMS) Land Selection DSS, GIS, Remote Sensing, e/m- Consulting, KMS, Sampling Device, connected to networking tools Calendar Definition KMS, e/m-learning, e/m consulting, DSS, GIS, Access to Credit Networking tools (Mobile Phone, Radio, wireless network), Management Information System (MIS), e-Commerce, mobile Commerce

Land Preparation KMS, e/m-learning, e/m consulting, GPS, GIS, Computer Control Devices, Machine2Machine communication and sensor network Sowing GPS, GIS, e/m-learning, e/m consulting Computer Control Devices, M2M communication and sensor network Input management DSS, MIS, GIS, GPS, e/m-learning Water Management DSS, MIS, GIS, GPS, GIS, e/m-learning, M2M communication and sensor network Fertilization DSS, MIS, GIS, GPS, GIS, e/m-learning, M2M communication and sensor network Pest management DSS, MIS, GIS, GPS, GIS, e/m-learning, M2M communication and sensor network

Marketing Networking Tools (Mobile Phones, lo-fi technology) for broadcast Transportation DSS, GIS, MIS, DBMS, Tracing Devices, M2M Communication Packaging Tracing Devices, KMS, e/m-learning, e/m consulting, GPS, GIS, Food Processing Farm to Farm tracing tools-GPS, RFID, GIS, DBMS, MIS, KMS, KMS, e/m-learning, e/m consulting, M2M Communication

S S D G (State Service Delivery Gateway) The State Portal and State Service Delivery Gateway project has been formulated under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) of Government of India. 26 Services are online available in Rajasthan State Through eMitra/CSC Application for subsidy in Farm Ponds, Diggi, Pipelines & Sprinklers Application for subsidy on Farm Implements. Application for grant of Input Licences (New/Renewal) for Seeds/ Fertilizers/ Pesticides Application for Incentive to Girls

AgrisNET (Agriculture Resource Information System Network)  Department of Agriculture is setting up an Intra-Network to interact with State Agriculture Department and their District Offices.  This will facilitate agribusiness partners (like input industries, food processing industries, financial institutes, agriculture marketing and voluntary organizations engaged in rural development) interact with each others for sharing information.  Gateway to Farmers: Interaction of farmers with various components of Agricultural Input & Output Systems.  In Phase-I the following modules are being developed by NIC in-house for the Head Office, Pant Krishi Bhawan, Jaipur: Monthly Progress Report Budget Allotment & Expenditure PIS (Personal Information System) Soil Health Card Monitoring Fertilizer demand and supply Monitoring Seed demand and supply Monitoring Quality Control (Fertilizer, Seed & Pesticides) Weather based Information system

NeGP-A (National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture) NeGP-A is proposed to be implemented across the country and aims at offering G2C or G2F, G2B and G2G agricultural services in an integrated manner through the Central Agriculture Portal (CAP) and State Agriculture Portals (SAPs). Key Objective  Bringing farmer centricity & service orientation to the programs  Enhancing reach & impact of extension services  Improving access of farmers to information & services throughout crop-cycle  Building upon, enhancing & integrating the existing ICT initiatives of Centre, and States  Enhancing efficiency & effectiveness of programs through process redesign  More effective management of schemes of DAC  Promoting a common framework across states

Mandi Online

 To empower poor farmers with information and communication assets and services that will increase their productivity and incomes as well as protect their food security and livelihoods.  To harness ICTs effectively to compete in complex, rapidly changing global markets (avoiding falling behind the technology curve).  Low Cost and pervasive connectivity  Adaptable and more Affordable Tools  Advance in data Storage and Exchange  New Business Models and Public Private Partnership  Democratization of Information, the Open Access Movement and Social Media

Rajasthan faces water scarcity but has potential to harness its natural resources for providing employment and enhancing incomes We can work together to realize Rajasthan’s immense potential Thanks