U-Farm: The Unified Framework for Agricultural Extension

R. Latha*
ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra - Kanyakumari & Agricultural Research Station (TNAU), Thirupathisaram, Tamil Nadu, India.
Periodicity:July - December'2020
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jmt.7.2.18370

Abstract

Farmers produce the food needed for human consumption. As the population keeps growing, newer technologies are invented by agricultural scientists for increasing farm productivity. The technologies from research are delivered to the farmers by agricultural extension activity. In India, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and various state universities including, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) are proceeding with continuous research agenda in bringing food security and nutrition security to the entire population, and at the same time improving sustainable livelihood of the farming community. Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) plays the key role in agricultural extension activities in India by propagating agricultural technologies to the grassroot population. Among many modalities, contemporary Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) plays a major role in dissemination of newer farming technologies on improved varieties, agronomic practices, pest and disease control, etc. from laboratories to farm land. The proliferation of mobile phones and Smartphone in the life of people from all walks of life is considered as a technological revolution. The apps in mobile phone along with high speed Internet services have made information available anywhere anytime. This article provides details on mobile apps available in India for agricultural extension activities and 24 x 7 services available for farmers. Mobile apps are many in number, with fragmented data, and information overload with redundant data. The key idea of this paper is to propose a unified platform where all agricultural extension can be promulgated for the benefit of farmers, eliminating the drawback of multiform data across common platforms.

Keywords

Agricultural Extension, Farmers, ICAR-KVK, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mobile Apps, TNAU.

How to Cite this Article?

Latha, R. (2020). U-Farm: The Unified Framework for Agricultural Extension. i-manager's Journal on Mobile Applications and Technologies, 7(2), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmt.7.2.18370

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