ICT Based Knowledge Resources Management in Agriculture- K. Nagasree, Dixit S., B. Venkateswarlu, K....

8/3/2019 ICT Based Knowledge Resources Management in Agriculture- K. Nagasree, Dixit S., B. Venkateswarlu, K. Ravishank

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ICT based Knowledge Resources Management in Agriculture

K.Nagasree, Dixit.S, B.Venkateswarlu, K.Ravishankar* and Vijay

Jesudasan**

Abstract

Advent of Information & communication technologies changed the global scenario in

reaching the clientele. Information inadequacy and time gap were the major constraints at the

field level leading to huge technological gap between farmers and researchers Application anduse of ICTs in agriculture sector puts forward hitherto untapped possibilities for technology

access and utilization. Hence it is essential to integrate different ICT tools like computer, radio,

TV, mobile phone, Internet etc,. to generate and manage the need based location specificknowledge resources to meet the information needs of rural masses.

In this backdrop an initiative is planned under ICTs component of the CRIDAs NAIP project on Sustainable rural livelihoods through enhanced farming systems productivity and

efficient support systems in rainfed areas which is an action research pilot project in selected

village clusters of the 8 backward districts of Andhra Pradesh involving a consortium of

institutions from public, private and NGO sectors. Accordingly a strategy is planned to pave theway for technology access and utilization through integration of various ICTs tools in knowledge

share centers. The present paper reveals how the ICT s are used in the project to generate and

manage the knowledge resources to harness technology access and utilization for empoweringrural masses .

Access to need based information and knowledge services is a prerequisite for its successfuladoption by farmers. In the light of aforesaid facts, CRIDA has standardized a process to

enhance the accessibility of information at grassroots level through Knowledge Share Centers

(KSCs) under NAIP SRL3 in village clusters of 8 districts in Andhra Pradesh. This effort enablesaccess to value added knowledge resources and services on latest tools and technologies in

agriculture& allied sectors for effective utilization in rural areas

User friendly information through touch screen kiosks, queries addressal system through

Interactive voice response system, Awareness creation of the technologies through display

announcement system , Internet etc,. are the essential services of the KSC. Touch screen kiosk

allows users to navigate for information on crop cultivation and package of practices, cropdiagnostic services, etc, with a finger touch facilitating user-friendly interaction like ATMs.

Display announcement system is a communication media in the KSC through which knowledge is

disseminated by screening films and CDs, which can serve the needs of illiterate farmers onknowing about improved technologies. IVRS is installed for answering to the farmers queries.

Pre recorded voice files with different options on various information services on thirteen crops

in IVRS guide the caller to avail the requisite information.

* Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture , Santoshnagar, Hyderabad 5000059, INDIA

** I Kisan ,Consortium Partner, , Hyderabad, AP

This paper was submitted for eINDIA 2010 Conference


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in Andhra Pradesh. This effort enables access to value added knowledge resources and services

on latest tools and technologies in agriculture& allied sectors for effective utilization in ruralareas

User friendly information through touch screen kiosks, queries addressal system through Interactive voice response system, Awareness creation of the technologies through displayannouncement system , Internet etc,. are the essential services of the KSC. Touch screen kiosk

allows users to navigate for information on crop cultivation and package of practices, crop

diagnostic services, etc, with a finger touch facilitating user-friendly interaction like ATMs.Display announcement system is a communication media in the KSC through which knowledge is

disseminated by screening films and CDs, which can serve the needs of illiterate farmers on

knowing about improved technologies. IVRS is installed for answering to the farmers queries.Pre recorded voice files with different options on various information services on thirteen crops

in IVRS guide the caller to avail the requisite information.

Two years experience from the NAIP project in A.P. revealed that this innovative technologytransfer through KSCs is quite successful with gradually increasing foot falls in all the eight

pilot villages introduced. Farmers are accessing information on plant protection measures,market information followed by agriinputs in that order. In the present era of IT revolution, the

role of KSC as information and knowledge delivery systems has become crucial in generating,

disseminating and utilization of value added information for farm related activities.



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Introduction

Information inadequacy was prevailing at grass root level due to lack of sufficient

extension functionaries at the field level leading to huge technological gap between farmers and

researchers. Introduction and promotion of innovative applications like ICT products would not

only meet the specific needs for improving efficacy of technologies but also assist the

agricultural extension functionaries in collecting, organizing and communicating useful

information to farmers in an efficient and cost effective manner.

The CRIDA NAIP project Sustainable rural livelihoods through enhanced farming systems

productivity and efficient support systems in rainfed areas is being implemented as an action

research pilot project in selected village clusters of the 8 backward districts of Andhra Pradesh

involving a consortium of institutions from public, private and NGO sectors.( Table-1) Realizing

the importance of ICTs for development of sustainable societies in viable rural space ,one of

the specific objective of the project is capacity building and skill development of primary and

secondary stakeholders through knowledge sharing, collective action and use of modern ICTs.

The present paper reveals how the ICTs are planned and being used in the project area to harness

technology access and utilization by rural masses and enhance communication interface among

the project partners .

Table-1 Project cluster profile

District Cluster

Anchor

Cluster

Where

KSC

located

Villages/Hamlets

covered under the cluster

Geographi

cal Area

(ha.)

Hou

hol

(N

Adilabad KVK,

Adilabad

Seethagondi Old Somwarpet, New Somwarpet,

Garkampet, Arkapalli, china Malkapur,

Pedda Malkapur, Kotwalguda

1913 575

Palamur

(Mahabubnagar)

BIRD-AP Jamisthapur Jamisthapur, Telugu gudem, Kodur Thanda 1217 739



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Anantapur Agriculture

Research

Station,

Reddipalli

Pampanur Pampanur, Pampanur Thanda, Y.Kothapalli 2111 576

Nalgonda SAIRD,

KVK,

Gaddepalli

Dupahad Jalmal Kunta, Seetamma Thanda, Yellappa

Kunta Thanda, Chinna garekunta, Peda

Garekunta, China Seetaram Thanda, Peda

Seetaram Thanda, Lalsing Thanda

800 621

Warangal MARI Jaffergudem Jaffergudem, satyanarayanapur,

Ramannagudem, Kusumbai Thanda,

Chakal Zal Thanda, Lokiya Thanda, Vapul

Gadda Thanda, Cherla Thanda

2070 689

Khammam SECURE,C

WS

Tummalach

eruvu

Tummala cheruvu, Bandla Pullaiah

Gumpu, Kurvapalli Kotturu, Koremvari

Gumpu, Ramavaram, Mamillavai,

Venkatapuram, Bheemavaram

6934 629

Ranga Reddy WASSAN Ibrahimpur Ibrahimpur village, Ibrahimpur

Thanda/Roopsing Thanda, Dhadi Thanda,

Malkaipet Thanda

898 409

Kadapa B.

Yerragudi

Brahmana Yerragudi Kaspa, V.N.Palli,

Mudindla Palli, Kapu Palli, Konampeta,

P.V. Palli, Puttakarla vary colony,

Madhigapalli

1354 516



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Objective of the Initiative:

ICTs for rural masses is planned through establishment ofKSC ( Knowledge Share Centres )

at grass roots level which envisages the access to value added information services on latest

tools and technologies of agriculture for improving the rural livelihoods. It also facilitates the

sharing of data, information and the collective knowledge gleaned from research, experiences

and interaction with cluster partners.

Figure-1 : Knowledge share centre at the village cluster

Fig/Table-2 Details of visitors to Knowledge share centres at cluster level during 2009-10

S.No Place of KSC Average no.of

visitors2009 April

March 2010

1 Ibrahimpur 140.25

2 Dupahad 55.81

3 Jamisthanpur 87.20

4 Pampanur 68.41

5 Seethagondi 103.006 B.Yerragudi 96.47

7 Thummalachruvu 126.78

8 Jaffergudem 73.73

140.25

55.81

87.20

68.41

103.00

96.47

126.78

73.73

0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00 80.00 100.0

0

120.0

0

140.0

0

160.0

0

Ibrahimpur

Dupahad

Jamisthanpur

Pampanur

Seethagondi

B.Yerragudi

Thummalachruvu

Jaffergudem



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Structure of the Knowledge share Centres

To reach the last mile and efficient functioning of the Knowledge Share centers hierarchy is

established in a three-tier mode.

i. Knowledge Resource centers- Apex level for generation of need based knowledge

resources

ii. Knowledge Share centers-Cluster level for dissemination of knowledge resources

iii. Information and Knowledge utilization groups- For adoption of the knowledge resources

diffused at grassroots level

Figure: 3 Structure of knowledge share Centres



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Essential features of the kiosk

Information access through touch screen kiosks, queries addresal system through Interactive

voice enquiry system, IVRS, Internet and display announcement system (DAS) for farmers

are the essential features of the KSC

Touch Screen kisok

As a part of outreach event through ICT tools it was planned to introduce touch screen

the unique, interactive tools for one stop access to information to cater the needs of individual

or very small group of farmers with minimum literacy standards.

Figure-4 Experts clarifying the doubts of users in accessing information from Touch screen kiosk

Touch screen information kiosk version is set up in a stand-alone system equipped with content

containing appropriate images& voice backup files of different topics on Crop information like

Package of practices, Management timetable and Crop diagnostic services (QSS) of crops

pertaining to NAIP clusters is provided . During the year 2009-10 the details of the clientele who

accessed the content from touch screen kiosk are as follows.( figure-5)

Table-3

Crop wise usage of (TSK) 2009 April

March 2010

S.No Crop Percentage of Users

from all Clusters

1 COTTON 15.05

2 MAIZE 10.45

3 PADDY 10.88

4 GROUNDNUT 9.165 CHILLIES 9.16

6 CASTOR 7.96

7 RED GRAM 10.84

8 GREEN GRAM 10.24

9 BLACK GRAM 9.33

10 BENGAL GRAM 6.92

15.05

10.4510.889.16 9.16

7.96

10.8410.249.33

6.92

0.00

5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

Series1 15.0 10.4 10.8 9.16 9.16 7.96 10.8 10.2 9.33 6.92

CO MAIZ PAD GR CHI CAS RE GR BLA BEN



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So far the content of ten crops Paddy, cotton, chillies, redgram , blackgram, bengalgram,

greengram, Maize, Castor & groundnut are placed in kiosk for accessing information . The

content of cotton crop is accessed more ( 15.05%of clientele) followed by the paddy(10.88%)

and redgram (10.84%) crops during the current year (2009-2010)

Figure-6 Screen shots of the content ( in local language) placed in kiosk

Display announcement package

It is a communication media in the Knowledge share center to address the needs of medium to

large group of audience. The display system comprising the display TV monitor with LCD

screen is connected to data input computer.

Figure-7 Rural women watching film on DAP



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It displays the information with voice input which can serve the needs of illiterate farmers. Now

it is being used to play the films through CDs/DVDs that create awareness of the improved and

latest technologies of different crops .

During the current year (2009-10) the following no. of films are screened through DAP in each cluster

Table-4Cluster wise Details of CDS/DVDs screened on latest technologies

During the current year Kadapa cluster b.yerragudi Knowledge share centre more number ofCDs/DVDs (538) followed by Khmmam tummalacheruvu cluster (523)

IVRS:

This particular Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS). application was developed in order

to provide content and current market information in voice format to farmers who are far away

from the KSC and those who are not able to come to KSC.

The voice information is provided in local language (Telugu) and as well as in English. By using

this service farmer can directly get the current price information, weather information, best

Cluster wise usage of (DAP)

S.No Cluster No. of Cds'

screened

1 Ibrahimpur 83

2 Dupahad 172

3 Jamisthanpur 157

4 Pampanur 412

5 Seethagondi 128

6 B.Yerragudi 538

7 Thummalachruvu 523

8 Jaffergudem 443

Cluster wise usage of (DAP) 2009 April March 2010

S.No Cluster

1 Ibrahimpur 83

2 Dupahad 172

3 Jamisthanpur 157

4 Pampanur 412

5 Seethagondi 128

6 B.Yerragudi 538


8 Jaffergudem 443



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management practices for agriculture and allied information make a call from his mobile or from

any pay phone.

Table-5 Cluster wise IVRS number

Internet

Internet is one of the most important components in Information and Communication

Technology that forms the major part of the NAIP. Internet facility was provided for emails, job

search and examination results for rural youth and farmers as well. Train and bus ticket

reservations can also be done which can be printed out without wasting time and money. The

average usage of Internet in all the clusters is around 618 mb / month. Where as in some clusters

like Ibrahimpur of Rangareddy district it is exceeding beyond I GB / month

Figure-8 www.naipsrl.org website online version

S.No Cluster IVRS number

1 Ibrahimpur 9705095621

2 Dupahad 9966918427

3 Jamisthanpur 9603970119

4 Pampanur 08554-250999

5 Seethagondi 08732-220459

6 B.Yerragudi 9573784185


8 Jaffergudem 9573422705



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Key findings of the project:

KSC s have succeeded in delivering the location specific timely, need based advisory &diagnostic services to the farmers of 51 villages with in geographical area of 17,297 ha covering

4754 households in 8 districts of AndhraPradesh state. KSC s have achieved the objective of

establishing remote access to information and knowledge resources in agriculture to clientele

,Two years experience from the NAIP project in A.P. revealed that this innovative technology

transfer through KSCs is quite successful with gradually increasing foot falls in all the eight pilot

villages introduced

The project is providing instant access to the best management practices of the selected crops

relevant to locality, daily market information for chosen commodities by the farmer pertinent to

cluster villages, weather based agro advisory services, pest diagnostic and management services

which enables the farmer to have better yield of quality produce fetching better price.

Users statistics of the KSCs revealed that average number of visitors varied from a minimum of

55.81 visitors per month in Nalgonda cluster to a maximum of 140.25 average number of

visitors per month in Ranga Reddy cluster. The usage of ICT services in the case of touch

screen kiosk is more in Kadapa cluster (791 visitors) followed by Anantapur cluster (758

visitors) during 2009-10.Out of the ten crops, the crop wise information is accessed more in

cotton crop (15.05%) followed by paddy(10.88%) and red gram (10.84%). The technology wise

information is more accessed for plant protection (24.36%) followed by market

information(21.56.The average usage of Internet in all the clusters is around 618 mb / month.

Where as in some clusters like Ibrahimpur of Rangareddy district it is exceeding beyond I GB /

month



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Constraints in operating Knowledge share Centres:

Connectivity

Despite the efforts to set up internet facility in the remote areas , the speed with which theinternet works is at 128kbps only. Linkages with NRSC are being explored to have satellite

connection through VRC concept in the cluster villages to overcome the above problem.

Community mobilization

Mobilizing the community to use the ICT extension services at Knowledge share centers is

an initial challenge in the project. Collective and cooperative efforts of cluster partners (

NGOs),experts from KRC(CRIDA & Ikisan) and operators in convincing the farmers aboutthe services is foundation step for success of Knowledge share centers.

Awareness camps, Focus group interactions with different groups like farmers, rural women,

youth etc,.. quiz exercises on ICT services of KSCs, incentives for the clientele who register

for IKU groups motivated rural community and enhanced their participation.

Attrition

Attrition of the KSC operators is another challenging issue which is hamphering the services

of KSC.Monthly review meetings capacity building programmes to KSC operators on

updates, new ICT services were regularly done to keep them abreast of changing ICT

environment of the KSC enabling them to offer better services to farmers

Frequent repairs:

With so much infrastructure established in the KSCs frequent problems in operating the

equipment arouse which may hamper the services of KSC. The operators and some village

youth are suitably trained to tackle the problem



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Power problems: Particularly during summer months the power cut for continuous six hours

are affecting the KSC operation. Even though there is two hour backup with UPS it is not

sufficient to handle the operations. It is being planned to support the KSC with inverters from

the project funds

Conclusion:

Advent of Information & communication technologies changed the global scenario in reaching

the clientele. In the present era of knowledge revolution, with the advent of IT tools like

computers, mobile phones and other facilities like video conferencing etc,. lot of progressive

dynamics are visible in human life. These ICT tools could be used efficiently for knowledge

resources management in agriculture in order to address the knowledge gap among the farmers,

researchers and extension functionaries. Application and use of ICTs in agriculture sector puts

forward hitherto untapped possibilities for technology access and utilization . At a same time It

is also essential that the knowledge transferred should meet the immediate demand / priorities of

the clientele in terms of knowledge, attitude skills and practice.

It is in this context Knowledge Share Centres. ensures the availability of right information at

right time if not at their door step , but in the common place in their village. The role of KSC as

information and knowledge delivery systems has become crucial in generating, disseminating

and utilization of value added information for farm related activities.



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References

K.Nagasree, Dixit.S, K.Ravishankar B.Venkateswarlu 2010 Village Knowledge Share Centres-

A hand book ( local lanuage) Bulletin 4/10 National Agricultural Innovation project -CRIDA

Hyderabad pp.24

CRIDA 2010 Poster on Knowledge share Centres

K.Nagasree, Dixit.S, K.Ravishankar B.Venkateswarlu and Vijay Jesudasan 2009 Empowering

rural poor in Dryland areas for improved livelihoods through Knowledge Share Centres In:

Enhancing efficiency of Extension for sustainable Agriculture and Livestock production

December 29-30, 2009, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar

K.Nagasree, , K.Ravishankar Dixit.S, B.Venkateswarlu and Vijay Jesudasan 2009 Role of

KSCs in genearation and dissemination of value added market information In: Proceedings of

National Conference on Agricultural Marketing in collaboration with Indian Society of

Agricultural Marketing during November 12-14, 2009 CRIDA hyderabad pp-58

K.Nagasree, Dixit.S, , K.Ravishankar B.Venkateswarlu and Vijay Jesudasan 2009 ICTs for

Better Livelihoods an Integration approach In: proceedings of National Seminar on ICT for

Agriculture and Rural Development on September 9-11, 2009 at the College of Horticulture and

Forestry, Central Agricultural University (CAU), Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh

(http://www.modelevillage.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55:abstracts&

catid=35:seminar&Itemid=66)

K.Nagasree, Dixit.S, , K.Ravishankar B.Venkateswarlu and Vijay Jesudasan 2009 Enhancing

Capacities of Rainfed Farmers for Improved Livelihoods through Knowledge Resources

Management In: Proceedings of ICT in Agriculture Regional Workshop held on August 25,

2009 at NIRD http://www.ekrishinaip.in/



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Title: ICT based Knowledge Resources Management in Agriculture

Authors Information

Author 1 name: K.Nagasree

Author 1 Designation: Scientist (Sr.Sc) , ( Agril.Extension)

Author 1 Institution: Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture , Santoshnagar,

Hyderabad 5000059, INDIA

Email id: [email protected], [email protected]

Author 2 name: Dixit.S

Author 2 Designation: Principal Scientist

Author 2 institution: Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture ,

Santoshnagar, Hyderabad 5000059, INDIA

Email id: [email protected]

Author 3 name:B.Venkateswarlu

Author 3 Designation: Director,CRIDA

Author 3 institution: Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture , Santoshnagar,


Email id: [email protected], [email protected]

Author 4 name: K.Ravishankar

Author 4 Designation : Sr.Scientist

Author 4 institution: Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture , Santoshnagar,


Email id:[email protected]

Author 5 name: Vijay Jesudasan**

Author 5 Designation : National Manager( O&D)

Author 5 institution: I Kisan

Email id: [email protected]


ICT Based Knowledge Resources Management in Agriculture- K. Nagasree, Dixit S., B. Venkateswarlu, K....

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