AGRICULTURE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (AMIS) FOR COMPREHENSIVE
AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT
In an agriculture
based State like Karnataka, the information technology has progressed
significantly in recent past but still it is not widely applied in the
agricultural domain. Today
we require extension services unlike two decades ago; to offer high grade technologies, required high
standards, dynamic approach and firm dependability. This requires a strong supporting information system right
from the grass root level up to the policy making authorities.
All the developed countries are using the information technology for the
betterment of the agriculture.
Raitha Samparka Kendras have been
operating in the State for a few years now. These centres are located at the
hobli level, for the farmers that provide information on farm practices and also
implement the various schemes of the agriculture department. However, the
operation as well as speed of Raitha Samparka Kendras needs to be improved
substantially. These RSKs should support information about the inputs, package
of practices, information about the markets and the probable changes in the
market, as well as new technologies and also to speed up the reporting process
along with maintenance/analysis of records. Therefore, these have to be properly
equipped, in terms of training, manpower, infrastructure and integration of
technology. A few Committees, which
studied the problems of Karnataka agriculture, have suggested that sufficient
investment has to be made in this direction.
By doing so each hobli of the state will have fully equipped Raitha
Samparka Kendra, in turn will have to be backed up with flow of information from
GPs and village level.
Rashtriya
Krishi Vikas Yojana
also endorses on strengthening of
infrastructure to promote Extension Services. This includes new
initiatives for skill development and training in the farming community and to
revamp the existing State agricultural extension systems.
Under RKVY District
Comprehensive Agricultural plans (CDAP) are prepared from grass root level (Grama Panchayath) by taking views of Grama
Sabha, people’s representatives, local progressive farmers and NGOs.
Village-wise data base has to be developed for Planning,
Implementation and Monitoring the process.
With
this in the background the Department of Agriculture
proposes to establish an Agriculture Management Information System at the Hobli level
which includes a broad based single window extension system under one roof to
integrate different agriculture activities.
It needs an interconnectivity right from the grass root level to the
State level with parallel connectivity to the Krishi Vignyan Kendras, University
of Agriculture Sciences for the dissemination of latest technology from lab
to land. The scientists
working in KVKs/ Agricultural Research Stations located in the district will
also be part and parcel of the System.
The System will have
data base on Agricultural and allied sectors, Seed &
their availability, Weather information, Fertilizer supply, Energy support on
line. In addition it will also have information on Land improvement,
implementation of land reforms, land consolidation and conservation, Minor
irrigation, water management and watershed development, Animal husbandry,
dairying and poultry, Fisheries, Social forestry and farm forestry, Minor forest
produce, Small-scale industries, including food-processing industries.
Besides taking care of the above aspects, the
system will also perform---
1. Instant monitoring and timely reporting
on-line.
2. Monitoring of expected yield (Description
from the Farmer) and Final Yield.
3. Monitoring of channelization of information.
4. Monitoring of distribution of
funds/subsidies.
5. Directives and announcements.
6. Reduction of paper work in the offices.
7. Information on pests/diseases.
8. Current Market prices & price
forecasting
The proposed system will try to bridge the
information gap between the field functionaries and PRIs/Government and various
stake holders o f the Agriculture Sector. It
will be the one stop information centre for both the Government and the Farming
community. It will efficiently use the knowledge of information technology
for the betterment of Farming community.
Target People
The client base is whole lot of people who are
directly or indirectly involved with the agriculture; starting from seed to
super market approach.
System
The proposed system should have necessary and latest
infrastructure equipments like computer/ simputer / mobile phone with
connectivity at hobli level in the existing RSKs, Assistant Directors’ Office
at taluk level, Joint Directors’ Office at district level, District
Agriculture Training Centres, KVKs, UAS, Head Office and the Secretariat.
It needs a financial investment of Rs.10 Crore for a period of two years
to operationalize the system. Further
annual allocation of grants for regular maintenance would be needed.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
The cost incurred in this process will not be
much compared to the benefit achieved. Moreover the system will have a direct
and fast communication procedure to attend the personalized problems and the
farmers can have a tailor-made solution rather than the general solutions. The
system will help to reduce the wastage of funds and enable extension workers to
help the farmers to tackle complex situations.