INDIA DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM OF AGRICULTURE (IDEA)

Related Articles

India-Korea Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES)

December 10, 2023

Biosphere Reserve

November 3, 2023

Cheetahs in India

September 29, 2023

• Recently, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in a written reply in Rajya Sabha informed about the various initiatives taken by the government for adopting technology in Agriculture.
• In 2021, a consultation paper on the India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA) from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) was released, which talks about a digital revolution in the agriculture sector.
• The adoption of modern technology depends on various factors such as socioeconomic conditions, geographical conditions, crop grown, irrigation facilities etc.

Importance Of Technology In Agriculture

• Technology in agriculture can be used in different aspects of agriculture such as the application of herbicide, pesticide, fertilizer, and improved seed.
• Over the years, technology has proved to be extremely useful in the agricultural sector.
• Presently, farmers are able to grow crops in areas where they were thought could not grow, but this is only possible through agricultural biotechnology.
• For example, genetic engineering has made it possible to introduce certain strains into other genes of crops or animals.
• Such engineering boosts the resistance of the crops to pests (e.g. Bt Cotton) and drought Through technology, farmers are in a position to electrify every process for efficiency and improved production. 

Using Technology Can Be Beneficial In Agriculture

1. Increases agriculture productivity.
2. Prevents soil degradation.
3. Reduces chemical application in crop production.
4. Efficient use of water resources.
5. Disseminates modern farm practices to improve the quality, quantity and reduced cost of production.
6. Changes the socio-economic status of farmers.

Challenges

• Education and Training Related:
• Lack of knowledge
• Inadequate skills
• Lack of improved skills
• Technology and Infrastructure:
• Poor infrastructure

Psycho-Social Issues:

Workers have no interest in agriculture, Farm works are not preferred over ipelegeng projects (self-reliance works), Farm jobs are time consuming.

Way Forward

• The use of technology has defined the 21st century. As the world moves toward quantum computing, AI, big data, and other new technologies, India has a tremendous opportunity to reap the advantage of being an IT giant and revolutionize the farming sector. While the green revolution led to an increase in agricultural production, the IT revolution in Indian farming must be the next big step.
• There need to be immense efforts to improve the capacities of the farmers in India – at least until the educated young farmers replace the existing under-educated small and medium farmers.
• Technology in agriculture has the potential to truly lead India to be “Atmanirbhar Bharat” in all respects, and be less dependent on extraneous factors.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT