(a) whether the Government has provided internet and Wi-Fi facilities in all the villages of the country for the benefit of farmers with a view to enhance their knowledge in agro-sector and to keep them apprised of latest development in this sector; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps/action being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)
(a) & (b) BharatNet project under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), envisages provision of broadband/ internet connectivity to the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. A total of 1,44,218 GPs have been made Service Ready as on 11.09.2020 .As part of this project, so far Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed at 72,655 GPs. Internet is also provided by various Service Providers which at present cover more than 95% of population of the country.
Further, Government has created mKisan Portal to provide free advisory services to the farmers and all others associated with the farming and allied activities. More than 5 crore farmers are registered on the portal and getting benefitted from this service. Scientists of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes and experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras extend free advisory services to the farming community through the portal as well as through WhatsApp groups and other digital means. Further, Department of Agricultural Research and Education /Indian Council of Agricultural Research has developed over 170 mobile applications on various technologies which are hosted on the ICAR website to provide free information.
************