Promotion of IT in Agriculture
Shri Sachin Pilot, the Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology informed Rajya Sabha today in a written reply that there are a number of current Information Technology related initiatives/schemes undertaken by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation which are aimed at providing information to the farmers on various activities in the agriculture value chain for helping them in planning and decision making in this field.
The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation has developed 80 portals, applications and websites. The important portals include SeedNet, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation Network (DACNET), AGMARKNET (prices and arrivals in mandis), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), NHM (National Horticulture Mission), and National Food Security Mission (NFSM).
The reply further stated that Kisan Call Centres (KCC) are functioning from twenty five Centre. They aim to provide information to the farming community nationwide through toll free telephone lines (telephone No. 1800 180 1551) from 6.00 a.m to 10.00 p.m on all seven days a week, to disseminate information.
The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture is implementing the Mission Mode Project – National e-Governance Plan – Agriculture (NeGP-A) in seven selected States under Phase-I which aims to disseminate information to the farmers on twelve identified cluster of services, related to agriculture through various delivery channels including Common Service Centres, Internet Kiosk, SMSsk and Kisan Call Centres. In order to generate awareness among masses, publicity of Kisan Call Centre is being carried out through electronic media and through All India Radio, the Minister informed the House.
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