Agricultural information system in India: It`s concept, growth and development

Agriculture, the science of raising crops and animals, began some ten thousand years ago in the Middle-East when animals were first raised in captivity. Agriculture is a production-oriented economic activity, which aims at the production and processing of agricultural products. Agricultural information can be defined as all published and unpublished knowledge of agriculture and broadly categorized into four classes: Technical/Scientific information, Commercial information, Social and cultural information and Legal information. Agricultural information system should be the basic component of extension institutions' task and must be incorporated into their long and short term plans. Agricultural information source also include extension worker like village level workers, gramsevaks, extension guides etc. farm news broadcasting through radio and television, field demonstration; film and audiovisual means; extension education; popular journals and magazine; field day, kisanmela etc. Major initiative for development of Indian Agricultural Information System was taken up by Indian Council of Agricultural Research through various project like NATP, NAIP CeRA, Krishipobha etc. Formation of e-resource consortium and KrishiPrapha Project are landmark initiatives. Use of e-resources is going to improve research output and information access environment. Most of the libraries were not able to subscribe e-journal due to lack funds. Hopefully, ICAR would increase the coverage of e-resources as per requirements of SAUs/agricultural institutes. Cha..From print media to digital resources is still in transitional stage. Present digital divide has to be bridge to enter into pre digital age and feel comfortable in use of e-resources