Cyber Extension:

Innovative Uses of ICTs for Agriculture

Lessons from Case Studies

A Presentation by:

DIRECTOR (Information Technology, Documentation & Publications)

National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad
Importance of Agriculture in Indian Economy
Agricultural Extension: Where we are today:
Challenges
Extension Communication: The Most Critical Gap
Concept of Cyber Extension
Cyber Extension: The Technology Basket
Some Field Experiences in Cyber Extension
Cyber Extension : Issues and Concerns
ICTs for Agricultural Extension : Opportunities
Strategy and Options
The Road Ahead……
 Total population – 1029 million*

 Rural Population – 743 million (72%)*

 Pop. Engaged in Agriculture – 234 m.*

 Cultivators - 127 m. *

 Agricultural Labour - 107 m. *

% Contribution to GDP (2000-01)- 22.3%*

*Data Source – Agricultural Statistics at a Glance- 2004, DES, DAC, MOA, GOI
 1950s–1970s: Community Development, National
Extension Services, Multipurpose Agriculture Development
Programmes;
 1970s-1990s: Specialized Extension Systems: Training &
Visit System – Fortnightly Workshops, Subject Matter
Specialists at district, Sub-District levels;
 1998-2002: Broad basing of Extension – Bottom-up
Planning, Participatory Mode, Integrated delivery of
Extension Services (Agriculture, Animal Husbandry,
Horticulture, Sericulture, Fisheries etc.), involvement of
University Scientists and Farmers’ Groups, using ICTs for
effective communication; and
 2003 onwards: Extension Reforms in most Asian Countries,
Public Private Partnerships, increased role of NGOs,
Farmers’ Organizations.
 Rate of growth

 0.25% in First Half of the Century

 2.7% in the Second Half of the Century

 Since 1951…

 Food grains Production Trebled

 Cereals Production Quadrupled
 Oilseeds Production Quadrupled
 Pulses Production increased by 50%
 Inputs Index 1900-01 1950-51 1960-61 1980-81 2000-01

Irrigation (%) 8.66 17.56 18.51 27.66 39.66

Material Input
Fertilisers (kg/ha) Organic 0.60 1.90 31.5 74.8
Pesticides (‘000 t ) Nil 2.35 8.62 45.00 61.26
HYVs(%) Nil 1.40 10.07 24.95 38.65
Energy Inputs
Tractors Nil Nil 880 67000 1.60 lakhs
(per ‘000 ha)
Information Inputs Word of Nil 4,63,000 20,14,000 48% villages
Telecommunication Mouth (only radio) connected
Farmer-to 83000 14.54 million
Farmer telephones telephones
Print Media Nil English English and English Regional News
(Limited) Hindi and Major Papers with
Regional Agri-
Languages Supplement
 107 Million Telephones
 15 Million PCs (Proposed 75 Million by 2010)
 5 Million Internet Connections (45 M. by 2010)

 Connectivity is highly skewed

 Internet connectivity more skewed

 Technology for Rural Connectivity available

 Efforts required to promote Rural Connectivity
Lack of feedback mechanism in the Research
Extension Linkages identified as one of the
weaknesses in existing Extension Systems (by
many studies, evaluation reports)

Communication is the most critical element in

Research-Extension-Farmer-Marketing loop

Media and ICTs offer strong potential to

improve this mechanism
S. Source % of hhs
No.

1. Participation in Training 0.9

2. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) 0.7
3. Extension worker 5.7
4. Television 9.3
5. Radio 13.0
6. Newspaper 7.0
7. Village fair 2.0
8. Government demonstration 2.0
9. Input dealer 13.1
10. Other progressive farmers 16.7
11. Farmers’ study tour 0.2
12. Para-technician / private agency / NGO 0.6
13. Primary cooperative society 3.6
14. Output buyers / food processor 2.3
15. Credit agency 1.8
16. Others 1.7
17, Any Source (all of the Above) 40.4
 Cyber Extension thus can be defined as the Extension
over Cyber Space. Cyber Extension means “using the
power of online networks, computer communications
and digital interactive multimedia to facilitate
dissemination of agricultural technology”.

Cyber Extension includes effective use of Information

and Communication technology, national and
international information Networks, Internet, Expert
Systems, Multimedia Learning Systems and Computer
based training systems to improve information access
to the Farmers, Extension Workers, Research
Scientists and Extension Managers.
 E-Mail;
 Web-based Extension Information Services;
 Interactive Expert Systems on Pests and diseases;
 INTERNET browsing for Extension Information;
 Video Conferencing- Static, Mobile; and
 Kisan Call Centers;
 SATCOM Networks.

in complement with Radio, Television, Audio-

Visual and Print media for Extension Message
communications among scientists, Extension-
Workers and the FARMERS.
 The Wireless in Local Loop (WiLL): The Technology which
can provide Rural Connectivity in most inaccessible areas
– already tested in over dozen locations in India
 Simputer & Nicetop: (low cost computer & communication
devices developed indigenously)
 Intranet (the Gyandoot Model): Server based application
providing e-Governance interface at village level
 Mobile Video Conferencing: Using Satellite Communication
(SATCOM) technology
 Digital Video Broadcasting: Extended C-band and KU-band
based digital broadcasting (both data & video)- EDUSAT
 Radio, T.V. and Call Centers: Integration of Media options
to improve Extension Outreach
 State-of-the-Art Information and Communication
Technology Infrastructure;
 Digital Library and Institutional Networking;
 Capacity Building of Agriculture and all the Line
Departments
 Providing VC Connectivity to Important Agricultural
Research and Training Organizations;
 Reaching the Un-reached: Taking IT to Farmer
and Farm Women
 Mobile VSAT Van For Rural Communication
 Kisan Call Center for Farmer of A.P.
 Reaching the Un-reached: Taking IT to
Farmer and Farm Women
 Created 11 Information Kiosks in 11
Villages in RangaReddy District of AP
 Provided Information and Communication
Technology Equipment handling training
to a group of 4 women in each village;
 Provided Software for Thrift and
Credit Management to women groups at
5 villages
* Enhancing ICT application
• IT connectivity up to District- ATMA & block-FIACs
• “Info shops” below of the block through private
entrepreneurs
• Application of WiLL and Satellite technologies
• Promoting technology dissemination through
vernacular press
Documentation/replication of success stories
• Documentation of innovations/success stories
• Replication of successes
• Carry forward through change
agents/entrepreneurs
∗ Operationalization FIACs
• Organized IT support –Capacity Building
• Linkage with ATICs,KVKs, Research Stations
• Placed IT facilitators to interface FIGs and
Research Systems
* Use of Media to Reach Faster and Deeper
• Use of Radio and T.V. (Cable & Doordarshan)
for wider Reach

• Use of Local Language for Packaging Technical

Information
• Linkage with regional DD/Air stations
 Extension Communication – Information Flow
ICAR MANAGE
Insts.
DAC/DOE Extension Education
NRCs Institutions (4)
PDs
State Level
APC /SDA
SAU
DOA DOH DOF DAH SAMETI

ATMA- Agri.Tech. Mgt. Agency

ATIC JDA/ATMA APC- Agricultural prod. Comm

DOE- Directorate of extension
Districts Level DOA- Dept. of. Agriculture

KVKs ZRS AMC DOH-Dept. Of. Horticulture

DOA DOH DOF DAH NGOs DAH-Dept.of Animal husbandry
DOF-Dept.Of. Fisheries
NGO-Non Govt. Org
KVK-Krishi Vigyan Kendra
FAIC1 FAIC4 Agriprenuers
ZRS-Zonal Reserch Station

Village Level
ATIC-Agri. Tech. Information Centres

FARMERS ATC-Advanced Training Centres

FAIC-Farmer Advisery Information
Centres
 Central Government Initiatives: DAC-NATP, DACNET,
AGMARKNET, KCC DARE-ARIS, IVLP,NATP, ATIC, Ministry
of CIT(NIC)- CICs, Warna Project
 State Government Supported: Rajasthan- Jan Mitra,
Gujarat-GAU-SAT-KRU, M.P.- Gyandoot, Maharashtra-
Maha-Agrinet, A.P.-Rural e-Seva, Karnataka-Rhythu
Sampark Kendras and Bhoomi, Kerala- Kissan Kerala,
Akshaya Kendras
 Corporate Sector Initiatives: e-Chaupals of ITC-IBD, Tata
Kisan Kendras of Tata Chemicals, Parry’s Corners of EID
Parry and Chirag Kendras of n-Logue
 NGOs and other private Sector: IVRP-MSSRF, Drishti.com,
Agriwatch.com, TARA Kendras,
 S.No. Major Project No. of Services
Kiosks

1. E-Chaupal (ITC-IBD) 5200 Market Prices,

Procurement support,
other info Service
2. MKCL 2500 Educational Services,
Extension Services
3. DISK (NDDB) 2500 Dairy Information
Services
4. Chirag-Kendras (n- 2100 General Information
Logue) Services
5. Akshaya Kendras 2100 Agricultural
(Kerala) Information, market
informtion

Total 26373
 Total number of KIOSKS: around 26000
 4.33% of Villages in the Country are connected
 Serving 5.32% Farmers
 57% of the KIOSKS established by Corporate Sector
 Average Investment on one Information Kiosk: Rs. 65830.
 One Kiosk serving up to 225 Farmers (just more than a
village)
 Only 24% Farmers currently paying for Services
 Although currently only 24% farmers are paying for
services, 56% farmers were willing to pay, if they are
provided need-based information.
 Awareness level is very high (92%)
In 58% cases the Farmers got information through
Internet, in 42% cases the information was provided
from off-line resources (CDs, Stored information)
Average number of transactions per day – 12.
The Farmers queries are maximum for the Market prices
(60%) and weather forecast (13%), followed by queries
on cultivating practices and farm implements (6.67%
each). On further enquiry it was revealed by the farmers
that their queries are limited to the information available
with the kiosks.
The farmers in the age group of 35-40 were highest in
number to seek information from kiosk
 Ministry of Panchayati Raj to establish
Information Kiosks in 2,37,000 Panchayats (Ministers’
Speech, 9th August 2005: Mission 2007)

 Department of Information Technology

(DIT) plans to initiate over 1,00,000 Common
Service Centres (CSCs) under the National
eGovernance Plan (NeGP).
 ITC is adding 7 new eChaupals a day and
plans to scale up to 20,000 eChaupals by 2010
covering 100,000 villages in 15 states.
(Sivakumar CEO, ITC-IBD)
 Governments of Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, A.P.,
Kerala have also announced Major Rural
Connectivity Projects
We have Highly trained Agricultural Scientists and
Extension Managers;
Highly trained ICT Engineers: Hardware , Software;
Continuously upgrading TELECOM infrastructure:
Specifically conceptualized, designed and developed
rurally relevant ICT systems: hardware and Software-
Infothela, Simputer, WiLL, Nicetop and Computer on
Wheels;
Availability of Agriculture Graduates with rural
background;
Good Experiences across Asia and Pacific region; and
Networking Infrastructure to provide technical
backstopping and support.
Conscious Effort at Policy level to integrate ICTs enabled
Extension as a part of Agricultural Extension;
Necessity of a nodal planning and implementation agency
at Country/ Province level;
Continuous hunt and integration of new Communication
technologies in Cyber Extension Strategy;
Use of Media –Radio and T.V. in participatory
programming and interactive mode;
Use of Call Centers for Agricultural Extension;
Continuous monitoring and updating of ALL Extension
systems and Databases;
Mechanism of Capturing lessons and sharing –horizontally,
vertically (within nations, across the nations)
 Use of ICTs provides Excellent opportunity to
Agricultural Extension as a discipline, as an
Outreach agent and as a tool to improve the rural
society;

We must grab this opportunity with both hands and

redefine our critical importance to our ultimate
clients : The Farming Community ( Farmers and
Farm Families);

AND HENCE

 Let us COMMIT to work together for Farmers.

 Dr. V.P. Sharma,
Director (Information Technology, Documentation and Publications)
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE),
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad – 500030, Andhra Pradesh, India
Ph : 91-040-24014525
Fax : 91-040-24015388
Email : vpsharma@manage.gov.in