e-Krishi for Farmers Agriculture is a dwindling profession in Kerala primarily due to adversities the farmer faces today.

e-Krishi is focused on providing farmers all the necessary help and support. This include, timely information on agriculture, best prices, networing between farmers and traders etc. E-Krishi, the market driven agricultural initiative through IT enabled agri-business centes in Kerala state addresses the existing gap in agriculture information flow and transaction management. The vision of the project is to establish a well connected farmers community throughout Kerala who have access to information on market demand, price, good agricultural practices, quality agricultural inputs supported by a technology enabled robust transaction platform that facilitates all their offline activities. The project is piggybacked on the existing resources of Akshaya e-kendras for providing the services.

The project was piloted in Malappuram district in 2006 and was funded by UNDP/NISG. Now it is operational in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode and Kollam districts with the help of Department of Agriculture and Local Self Government Institutions.

Objectives

Preparation of a detailed database of the farmers and businessmen of the state Aggregation of responsive farmer community cultivating priority crops as determined by the market demand Enrolment of buyers in key markets including manufacturers Enrolment of agricultural input providers (seeds, plantlets, fertilizers, pesticides, technology/methodology providers/consultants, test laboratories and so on) and warehousing facility providers Enrolment of logistics services support providers Enrolment of banks and insurers Establishment of a robust It enabled platform where the members can seek information, transact and make or receive electronic payments

How it functions

Sellers (farmers) and buyers (merchants) register through nearest Akshaya Centre or log on to www.e-krishi.org Post the materials for selling/buying Post and view advertisements Virtual meeting of buyer and sellers through the web and effect transaction

Toll Free Call Centre Help farmers and buyers in solving trade related doubts Provides details on good agricultural practices including local weather Managed by qualified agricultural specialists

Benefits to Member Farmers Access to markets with prevailing price information and ensuring correct price for their products Access to schemes, subsidies, modern agricultural methods, best practices, soil testing, seeds, plantlets, fertilizers and pest control Facilities for grading agricultural produces Logistics support and cost sharing possibilities Access to micro credits Agri-insurance support/faster claim processing Access to accounting practices and documentation support

Benefits to Member Agricultural Input Providers

Contact farmers producing any specific crop and confirm purchases in advance facilitating better control over supplies Virtual aggregation of the produces. Buyer/exporters to post their pick-up quantities by date, by market-venue/warehouse.

Plan logistics routes for collection of agri-produce in advance, seeing the offer from farmers in various locations. Select farmers for producing any specific variety of crops on contractual basis integrating supplies of seeds/plantlets, farm maintenance etc. Easy access to customers, facility for systematic campaigning/demonstrations. Efficient management of schemes/programs e-platform assisting in real time transactions. Searchable directory for all stakeholders with relevant details (contact persons, location, products/services offered, schemes & programs, territorial jurisdiction etc.,) supported by robust platforms for communication, transaction and e-payments. Access to weather information and crop planning.

Online Application Of Ration Card

Department of Civil Supplies has launched the facility to submit online Application for Ration card through Akshaya. The project is introduced in Thiruvananthapuram North. This is enacted all over Kerala from August 2010.

Registration of BPL Families Under Health Insurance

Akshaya has taken up the registration of 18 lakhs BPL families under RSBY on behalf of Comprehensive Health Insurance agency of Kerala(CHIAK)

E-District
E-district is being piloted in Kannur and Palakka Districts.Once implemented this project will give an additional 25 services to the citizens.

E-Consignment
G2c Service in association with Department of Commercial Taxes. Under this project Akshaya centers are entitled to file the e-declaration of commodities that are passing the check post through vehicles.At present this project is introduced only in Thiruvananthapuram District

Unique Identification Number

Akshaya has been designated the agency for enrollment of UID along with Keltron. The enrollment process is expected to commence in November 2010. For more details click here.

Collection of subscription amount of NRK Welfare Fund

Akshaya has been designated the agency for collection of yearly subscription amount from the members of Kerala Non Resident Kerralites Welfare Fund Board (KNRKWFB).

E-Grantz
SC/ST welfare department has launched online registration to provide stipend for Post Metric SC/ST students of Kerala. Registration will be done through Akshaya e-Kendras.