ICT initiative in agricutlure to strengthen extension

A week long training programme titled "master trainers training programme on ICT initiative in agriculture", began in the e-extension centre at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University here today. 

The program is under the Mega National Agricultural Development Project-Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (NADP-RKVY) entitled "Invigorating Extension strengthen through ICT initiative", with a financial outlay of Rs 250 lakh for a period of three years from 2014 to 2017. 

The training mainly focuses on farm crop management, Kisan SMS, video-conferencing and social media networkring for the technology retrieval and accesibility.

To read more, ICT initiative in agricutlure to strengthen extension 

Adapted from Business Standard

Information technology and agriculture

As we get ready for the Asean Economic Integration that starts next year, it is critical that we make full use of information technology to promote agriculture development.

Since my doctorate was on technology transfer, I have been following closely the way in which electronic media have been used to achieve this objective.

I will review here some of the ICT gains in agriculture and make three recommendations to build on these gains.

Models

Knowing that most poor farmers do not have the money for computers but instead use mobile phones, the PhilRice Text Center (PTC) conveys technology tips to farmers by text. It also uses this mechanism to find out their problems. It asks: “How are your rice plants?

In Northern Luzon, 213 out of 540 farmers reported problems. They were mostly on pest management, nutrient deficiency, and water availability. Using this information, PTC texted back suggestions to address them.

Dulcie Cruz from Sultan Kudarat texted: “Information we get through this service guides us in deciding what to plant this season.” Federico Billares from South Cotabato reported: “I received a reply only after a few seconds.”

There are other agriculture ICT mechanisms.

There are websites that contain valuable information such as www.palay.aralan.com. YouTube tutorials, such as on how to develop a honeybee livelihood enterprise, are available. Electronic centers (E-centers) are established in other parts of the country, such as the Albay E-center that was recently cited for its assistance to barangay communities.

Of special mention is the Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (Opapa). It won an AGFUND International prize for pioneering human development. More specifically, Opapa’s entry “highlighted its various ICT interventions that connect lowly rice farmers to reliable sources of information and encouraged collaborative learning among rice scientists, extension workers, farmers, and other concerned organizations.”

To read more, Information technology and agriculture

Adapted from INQUIRER.NET

Jagdeo: No sense of urgency regarding climate change policy

The Caribbean lacks a sense of urgency in policy change towards agricultural sustainability and climate change, former Guyanese president Bharrat Jagdeo said yesterday.

Jagdeo was feature speaker at the official launch of The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus’ two newest faculties—the Faculty of Food and Agriculture and the Faculty of Science and Technology.

“Funding for agriculture and science and technology do not take place in a vacuum; they will grow if society grows. They are linked. The entire future and development strategies for the region are linked to our future well-being in science and technology and agriculture,” he said. 

Every leader speaks about climate change, especially after a natural disaster, and then promptly forgets about it when the economy gets back on track, Jagdeo added. 

“These are some of the things we need to address urgently. One catastrophic event in a small island state can wipe out 200 years of exports—how can you plan economic and social capital if a single event has a systemic impact on your country?” 

To read more, Jagdeo: No sense of urgency regarding climate change policy 

Adapted from the Trinidad Express

Mobile app gives price of agro products

BANEPA, May 7: Creative Smile Building the Nation, a group of ICT engineers in Banepa, has developed a mobile application through which farmers can get information regarding market price of agriculture products. 

“By using ‘ICT For Agriculture’, farmers can know the price of agriculture products in Banepa, Manthali, Khurkot, Sindhuli and Kathmandu,” Shivjan Chaulagain, coordinator of the group, said, adding, “We developed the application due to growing demand from farmers for application based on smartphones,” Chaulagain said, adding that farmers can know the price of 30 agro products.

To view article, Mobile app gives price of agro products

Adapted from REPUBLICA

Agriculture shows resilience; presents opportunities

Overall growth in agriculture during 2013 can be described as marginal when compared to 2012, with many sub-sectors showing marked improvement and presenting the sector with opportunities. This follows a return to growth in the sector in 2012 following three consecutive years of declines between 2009 and 2011.

A significant increase in sales by local producers to hotels, increases in mariculture and aquaculture, signal improved performance in non-traditional areas while the traditional sub-sectors continue to be challenged.

Banana exports to the United Kingdom showed a marginal increase of 0.6 percent and earned our farmers $21.1 million dollars. Purchases of bananas locally increased by approximately 18.9  percent and earned $2.2 million. Non-banana crops fared well with the volume of supermarket purchases growing by 15.5  percent which resulted in an increase in revenue to farmers by 16.5 percent.

Hotel purchases of crops increased by 19.6  percent with revenue increasing by 36.6  percent representing earnings of $6.3 million EC dollars. This represents the most significant increase in purchases by hotels. While there are still opportunities for growth in the hotel market for our farmers, there are positive signs that farmers are being more consistent with quality and supply. Hoteliers are also demonstrating a greater willingness to work with farmer organisations and the ministry to increase opportunities for our farmers.

To read more, Agriculture shows resilience; presents opportunities

Adapted from St. Lucia News Online

Japan shares ag challenges

A SIDE-TRIP to the University of New England’s “Smart Farm” was inserted into a flying three-day visit to Australia by the Japanese Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, Yoshitaka Shindo, who believes information technology is key to aiding Japan’s ailing farm sector.

Mr Shindo thinks despite the differences between Australian and Japanese agriculture - the average size of a Japanese farm is about two hectares - there are also similarities in the challenges that the two countries face.

And Mr Shindo believes that a common solution lies in better use of information communication technologies (ICT).

“Australia and Japan share a problem - the farmers are getting old,” Mr Shindo said through an interpreter. In 2010, the average age of the Japanese farmer was 70.

“At the same time, young people have this perception of very hard labour and isolation on the farm. We actually have to change that, to make farming more attractive to young people.

“That means we have to enhance efficiency and productivity of the farms. We can utilise ICT information communications technology - and that’s where Australia and Japan farms can work together."

To read more, Japan shares ag challenges

Adapted from Farm Weekly

Smart Agriculture: Orange Business Services Delivers M2M Connectivity Services to Dacom

Orange Business Services is delivering a scalable communications infrastructure and managed machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity services to Dacom, an innovative high-tech company that develops and supplies ICT and sensor solutions that provide yield optimization to arable farms around the world. The managed M2M solution from Orange Business Services will enable Dacom to connect tens of thousands of devices for its agricultural customers in more than 30 countries around the globe.

Dacom's solar-powered Sensetions smart sensors with Orange technology inside enables optimal irrigation for tulips growing in the Netherlands. (c) Dacom

Dacom uses M2M technology to enable farming success

Dacom is an innovative high-tech company that develops and supplies specialized hardware, software and online advisory services to arable farms and the agribusiness around the world. All data is combined on the same platform, delivering unrivaled flexibility. Through its scalable communications infrastructure, Orange Business Services will collect and transmit information from Dacom's connected devices, including sensors such as weather stations and soil moisture sensors. By combining sensor technology, Internet and scientific knowledge, growers can continuously monitor and fine-tune their production process throughout the growing season and crop information is easily sharable with the surrounding partners. The agribusiness can continuously anticipate and optimize raw material supply through the consultation of field data and smart modules. This results in the maximum yield achievable through the economically sound and responsible use of agri-inputs like chemicals, water and nutrients.

To read more, Smart Agriculture: Orange Business Services Delivers M2M Connectivity Services to Dacom

Adapted from the Wall Street Journal