(a) whether the Government have formulated any scheme for development of agro-
information technology and its application in modern farming in view of its crucial role in
agriculture sector;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by which this scheme is likely to be launched?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
(SHRI SBPBK SATYANARAYANA RAO)
(a)to(c) No separate scheme as such for development of agro-information
technology has been formulated. However, concerted efforts are being made to
promote information technology in agriculture sector through following
schemes/programmes:
(i) Agricultural Research Information System (ARIS) launched by Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR) envisages connecting all the major research
centres of ICAR, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and Krishi Vigyan
Kendras (KVKs). It is a network for exchange of information in agricultural
research, education and extension across the country through the use of
computers, networking equipment and telecommunication. As of now there are
235 ARIS Cells, however, at full growth there would be a total of about 832 ARIS
Stations by the end of IXth Plan period. The latest information on agricultural
reaearch and extension will be widely and rapidly disseminated to farmers
through the ARIS System.
(ii) Innovations in Technology Dissemination (ITD) component of NATP provides for
intensive computerization of various institutioins involved in the project
implementation in 24 districts in 6 Project States namely, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,
Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Punjab. This computerization
through block level institutions of Farmer Information and Advisory Centres
(FIACs) and district level Agricultural Technology Management Agencies
(ATMAs) would help in rapid dissemination of latest and uptodate agricultural
technology to the farmers.
(iii) A Central Sector Scheme on Information Technoloogy apparatus in the
Headquarters National Agriculture Informatic Centre and Early Warning
Information System is being implemented during the 9th plan period.