E-technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural productivity and improving marketing strategies for farmers. Let’s explore how it benefits them:
- Increasing Production of Agricultural Produce:
- Online Marketplaces for Inputs: Technology enables direct-to-farm channels, bypassing middlemen and retailers. For instance, UPL provides mechanization services and agrochemicals through its online platform, nurture.farm.
- Access to Credit: Banks and non-banking financial institutions offer targeted products through farm and rural loans. The SBI Yono Krishi app caters to farmers’ finance, input, and advisory needs.
- Mechanization Services: Companies selling farm equipment can provide mechanization as a service. Mahindra, for example, offers a tractor rental service.
- Timely Information: Technology ensures quick dissemination of information related to weather, market signals, etc. The mKisan portal and SMS services provide timely weather updates, market prices, and crop advisories.
- Crop and Livestock Monitoring: E-technology allows proper monitoring through sensors (e.g., soil conditions) and ear tag technology (e.g., Smartbow for monitoring illness and herd infection).
- Spatial Data Management: Geographic Information System (GIS) helps manage and analyze spatial data related to crop productivity and agronomic factors Bhuvan, ISRO’s portal, integrates GIS, satellite data, and weather info for assessing crop losses and expediting insurance claims.
- Marketing of Agricultural Produce:
- Supply Chain Management: E-technology creates market linkages, enabling farmers to sell their produce more efficiently. ITC’s e-Choupal network facilitates direct-from-farm procurement.
- Digital Transformation: Platforms like e-NAM and Kisan Sabha empower farmers by digitizing agricultural processes, leading to prosperity and empowerment within the farming community.
In summary, e-technology not only optimizes production but also revolutionizes marketing practices, benefiting farmers and contributing to a resilient and prosperous agriculture sector.
