Digital India - Reaching to Small, Marginal& Women Farmers

Abstract

India has been endowed with substantial resources for sustained agricultural development, viz. land, labor, water, livestock, fisheries, forestry accompanied by congenial climate and adequate solar radiation. India has, also, established extensive and robust network of agricultural research institutions which have been engaged in evolving high-yielding varieties of crops and production technologies. However, studies have revealed that government’s agricultural extension agencies are weak to disseminate accurate and authentic information relating to proven farm technologies and related services to small, marginal, tenant and women farmers. It has been reported that only 3% farmers receive agricultural information from the government agencies whereas as high as 94% farmers depend upon “fellow farmers” followed by agricultural input dealers [10%], and TV/Radio [4%].According to a “Situation Assessment of Indian Farmers”, only about 28% of all farmers use any kind of agriculture-related information that is available rather than what they need. About 72% of farmers, especially small farmers and other vulnerable groups do not benefit from any source of information delivery system that can help them adopt latest technology. Additionally, farmers are unable to benefit from several institutions, organizations and agencies [credit, insurance, marketing etc.] established to provide support services. This is primarily responsible to farmer’s low crop productivity, output and profitability of farming enterprise. This article briefly highlights the imperative need to facilitate small, marginal & women farmers’ easy, authentic and accurate access to agricultural information that they need through digital ecosystem for agriculture and initiatives of the government & private sector along with specific areas that need for focused attention in the context of government’s policy on digital India.