E Agriculture

5. Role of ICT in Information And Communication Technology For Rural Development
1. Timely information on weather forecasts and calamities, ICT based Kisan mobile messages.
2. Application of ICT in agricultural extension, Agri Research , Agri University , Livestock
and Fisheries
3. E village for Agriculture and Rural Development , ICT initiatives for agricultural development.
4. Better and spontaneous agricultural practices, through village Knowledge Center /community
center.
5. Better marketing exposure and pricing, Linking the farmers with market through web and
mobile
6. Reduction of agricultural risks and enhanced incomes, E.Clinic in Agri and Rural Development
7. Better awareness and information, Taking agricultural technologies to the grassroots on
wheels.
8. Irrigation and water usage
9. Disease and Insect Information

6. Role of ICT in Information And Communication Technology For Rural Development
contd
.
 Improved networking and communication, Development of Farmer Data base
 Facility of online trading and e-commerce,
 Better representation at various forums, authorities and platform, etc.
 Effectiveness of interactive multimedia compact disc IMCD in diffusing technologies among farm
women in different ecosystem and promotion of Farm technologies through interactive multimedia:
a multi stake holders perspective
 Techmode approach for distance learning courses for field Assistant and VA.
 Useful databases and websites on agroforestry and farm forestry
 Watershed modelling for development of sustainable livelihood
 information technology is intensively used in agricultural administration, research and development,
extension, marketing and managing farmers' organizations

8. PROSPECTS OF E-AGRICULTURE IN PAKISTAN
In general, the future directions in e-agriculture point to the need to
enhance human resources, equipment/facilities,
infrastructure,and
policy support system. The most pressing concerns are the
lack of trained personnel on IT; poor network connectivity and network
infrastructure in rural areas limiting the use of IT in extension, complex and
dynamic nature of agriculture which requires continuous assessment of data
fields for decision support systems; limited computer literacy by farmers,
making it difficult to convince them of the benefits of e-agriculture; and the
lack of policy environment/support for better information network
management.
The challenge ahead is for Pakistan is to explore the uncommon opportunities
presented by the information technology revolution, to ensure a vibrant responsive,
sustainable, and productive agriculture toward the attainment of food security and a
broad-based economic growth.

9. Opportunities
 - Fast increasing teledensity.
 - Encouraging PC Growth rate.
 - Internet usage and growth of Internet-cafes even in
remotes towns.
 - World class technical manpower having required
skill sets in ICT
 - Pakistani professionals in ICT living abroad
 - Government commitment and available funds
 - International focus on using Knowledge of ICT for
development (UN top priority Agenda)

10. (1) E-AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
1. Timely dissemination of agricultural information through online
information services, education and training, monitoring and consultation,
and transaction and processing;
2. Farmers' access to agricultural information through databases established by
government and farmers' organizations;
3. Facilitation of interaction among researchers, extension workers and
farmers;
4. Question and answer services where experts respond to queries on
specialized subjects for greater efficiency in delivering services for overall
agricultural development;
5. Providing up-to-date information about subjects useful to farmers, such as
packages of production techniques/practices, management skills, market
information, weather forecasting, input supplies, credit availability,
agricultural statistics, and agricultural policy and programmes;
6. providing early warning signs about crop and livestock disease/pest
problems, natural disasters, and mitigation measures.

11. (2) E-AGRICULTURAL MARKETING
Efforts should be made to incorporate IT in the following areas to
facilitate
agricultural marketing:
1.Collection of a large body of marketing information for various
commodities
and markets,
2.Enabling the farmers to find the marketing information they need:
3.Use of IT in wholesales markets and distribution centers of farm
products
4.Services providing information to farmers regarding farm business and
management
5. Expansion of the use of e-commerce for direct linkages between
producers, traders, retailers, and suppliers.

12. 3) E-FARMERS' ORGANIZATION
This can help farmers' organization in re-orienting themselves toward
the overall agricultural development of small-scale producers.
1. With the appropriate information, organized small-scale producers
can even have a competitive edge over larger operations.
2. The expanding uses of IT by farmers' organization worldwide are as
follows
3. use of It to supply farms with commercial inputs, farm credit,
marketing, and other support services; computerization
4. application of IT in improving the efficiency of these organizations;
dissemination of technical information to members,
5. improving the extension function and information service of these
organizations; and provision of access to computers and the Internet
to cooperative members.

13. (4)Agricultural Value Chains and ICT
 ICTs play an important role in agricultural value chains, with
different types of ICT having different strengths and weaknesses
when applied to particular interventions.
 The impacts of ICT are diverse, and they influence market
competitiveness in different ways.
 However, technology should not overshadow the people and
institutions involved.
 While the positive impacts of ICT are being catalogued and
discussed, many rural farmers still do not have access to or the
capacity to use ICT.

17. E Village Agri Steps
 1.Identification of village
 2.Evillage Rabta Committee
 3.Preparing to Take off
 4.Sharing Vision of E Village
 5.Setting up of Computer Training Center
 6.Setting Up of Tele FSC
 7.Putting All together
 8. Monthly Review of Progress
 9.Web Based Services
 10.Way Forward