Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Development of Indian Agriculture: Prospects and Challenges

This paper has provided an overview of the prospects of and challenges to information and communication technologies (ICTs) in Indian agriculture. It has pointed out that ICTs and mobile-enabled agricultural services act as instruments to deliver extension services through infrastructure for mobile telephony and help in creating awareness among farmers. The increasing penetration of mobile networks and handsets in India presents an opportunity to make useful information more widely available. The paper has outlined the services of some private sector companies in this regard; these include IFFCO's Kisan Sanchar Limited, Reuters Market Light and Fisher Friend Programme of MS Swaminathan Research Foundation. E-choupal of ITC Limited is an internetenable initiative that provides information on various aspects of farming, including market intelligence. The paper has highlighted some challenges also. The potential of ICTs in improving farming scenario needs to be exploited appropriately through imparting proper training, education and capacity building for using novel farm technologies in Indian agriculture.