Using ICT, rural India can be accorded its place in the World Economy, while still maintaining its predominantly agrarian economy. This will facilitate "Rural India to shine, smile and roar".
Viable society in a rural space
India is a land of diversity with different types of terrain, various agro-climatic conditions, different levels of socio-economic conditions, and varied levels of regional development.
Agriculture, including crop husbandry, animal husbandry, forestry and agro-forestry, fisheries, and agro-industries, provides livelihoods to over 70 % of the rural Indian population. Agriculture is decentralised but small scale manufacturing (small and marginal farmers) units. Agricultural development, along with village and cottage industries, tiny and micro enterprises, are the cornerstone for promoting sustainable rural livelihoods. More than 60% of our workforce is still in Agriculture. Water, crucial for agriculture, faces rapid depletion, thanks to free farm power that encourages over-irrigation and hence empties aquifers.
Since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, agriculture remains high on the international agenda because it brings together critical issues like water, poverty, hunger, and health. The Agenda 21 of the Rio Earth Summit 1992, the action pathway for sustainable development, clubbed sustainable agriculture and rural development under one head in its Chapter 14. 'Access' to 'sustainable livelihoods for all' is 'a gateway' to 'sustainable development'. Agriculture productivity is a function of seed quality, nutrient adequacy, irrigation and adoption of appropriate package of practices. Agricultural sector faces constraints for achieving its sustainable growth in many parts of the country.
The national efforts in 'bridging this Social Divide' are visualised through:
National eGovernance Plan - bridging rural digital gap
National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) Act bridging rural poverty gap
Bharat Nirman bridging Rural Infrastructure gap
- Rural Roads
- Rural Telecom Connectivity
- Rural Housing
- Rural Drinking Water
- Rural Electrification
- Irrigation
National Rural Health Mission with Rural Sanitation bridging rural health gap
Right to Information Act bridging information gap
Strengthening Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan with Universalisation of Midday Meal programme bridging education gap
National Urban Renewal Mission - bridging urban infrastructure gap.
Providing digital opportunities
ICT's diffusion and infusion in agricultural sector provide the necessary 'digital opportunities' or 'advantages' for productivity increase, for income generation, for decrease in regional disparity, and for improving their linkages with the market. Markets, the driver for agricultural growth, depends on effective information system, i.e. what people want, at what price, where to get it, and who can supply it (http://www. agmarknet.nic.in) There have been both national and international efforts (DOT Force of the UN, the UN/ESCAP Comm-ittee on Poverty Reduction, the Millennium Development Goals, Poverty Net of the World Bank) to improve information flows and communication services to eliminate poverty (ICT for Poverty Reduction).
Mainstreaming models for collaborative research
Developing appropriate ICTs (i.e. a framework) for sustainable development and sustainable livelihoods is, therefore, essential at grassroots level (i.e. at society level). ICTs is, however, not a panacea for grassroots level development problems, but it has the potential and opportunities to help the rural poor to leapfrog some of the traditional barriers to development by: improving access to information, expanding their market base, enhancing employment opportunities and making government services work better. There is a 'need to bridge theory and reality (i.e. grassroots)'. Rural India desires to take advantage of 'knowledge-intensive' techniques for sustainability of its Stakeholding: farm and non-farm linkages. Grassroots level Information access (Contents) and Grassroots level access to Information (Networking) are the two essential components for grassroots level development strategies through ICT. The Digital Initiatives such as AgRIS, DISNIC, eCooperative and CoopNET, Digital SME etc are essential to usher in 'digital inclusion' for fostering rural prosperity.
Agricultural Resources Information System (AgRIS)
Agricultural Resources Information System (AgRIS) is the Central Sector Scheme for strengthening / promoting Agricultural Information System in the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) Ministry of Agriculture. This Project is based on the recommendation of the Report of the Core Group- V of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Soils, National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) of the Planning Commission (March, 2000). During the Tenth Plan, the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, in association with National Informatics Centre (NIC), has undertaken 'Proofof-Concepts-Projects' in districts across the country, facilitating the followings:
Initiate pilot projects on 'Agricultural Resources information System' (AgRIS) in districts in order to work out the cost and efficiency of this project and then expand to the entire country;
Develop a comprehensive database on various parameters related to land use, inputs (seeds, fertiliser, agricultural technology, agricultural credit) use, and water use;
Development of decision support systems (DSSs) packages for strengthening advisory services to farmers; and
Capacity building through Human Resources Development.
"
miles to go"
There is a need to bridge theory and reality at grassroots. Farmers, in particular SMFs, must be able to choose agricultural practices and technologies from the full range of approaches available for tackling their problems: agro-ecological methods, conventional research methods, and molecular biology research methods. Converting millions of poor farmers to the use of new technologies has been a colossal task. The implementation of 'Agricultural Resources Information System (AgRIS)' will facilitate development of typology specific agriculture development plan in the country. As "resources application and agronomic practices" are to match with soil attributes and crop requirements, the Agricultural Resources Information System (AgRIS) is a "way-forward" to improve agricultural productivity in rural areas, and a much "needed domestic strategy" for sustainable rural livelihoods. The AgRIS is a step towards establishing a location-specific e-Government model for the Poor. Project Details can be seen at the Website http://www.agris.nic.in
ICT for micro level planning at grassroots level: DISNIC programme
While, in principle, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) can be the effective bodies for local level planning and implementation, they may not be so in practice because of a number of constraints : most of the PRI Members do not have the necessary background in planning and implementation of development programmes (Source: 9th Five Year Plan, Vol-1, Para 5.35). The Gram Sabhas will have to play a leading role in identification of local needs, mobilisation of local resources including human resources, identification of target group beneficiaries and monitoring of implementation of local projects. Grassroots level Information access (Contents) and Grassroots level access to Information (Networking) are the two essential components for grassroots level development strategies through ICT. A significant barrier to the adoption of the appropriate technologies for rural villages has been the absence of analytic tools (databases) that accurately compare the alternative options, both conventional and renewable. The National Commission on Farmers (NCF) has recommended the establishment of Rural Knowledge Centres (RKCs) all over the country using modern information and communication technology (ICT) under the Mission 2007 Programme.
In India, 'district' is the basic administrative unit at the sub-state level and also consistent with the decentralized planning process prevailing at the grass-root. With the establishment of NICNET in districts numbering about in 1985-87, National Informatics Centre (NIC) has launched its 'district information system (DISNIC)' in about 27 sectors viz., agriculture, animal husbandry, education, health, industries, rural development, micro-level planning, etc, as an informatics tool for development planning and responsive administration. Indian village is a cognizable unit located in a specific agro-ecological and sociological environment. Its potentials and constraints for development are well known.
A significant barrier to the adoption of the appropriate technologies for rural villages has been the absence of analytic tools (databases) that accurately compare the alternative options, both conventional and renewable.
The Decentralised Planning and Implementation: DISNIC-PLAN programme has been taken up for implementation in for implementation on pilot scale in 28 Districts (one district per state, one block in that selected district, and all villages in that Block, and the District Planning Unit and One Department of Geography/Research institution dealing with spatial planning and data analysis).
The DISNIC-PLAN new initiative will support building up databases (spatial and non-spatial), decision support systems, and communication systems to facilitate: sustainability of resources, poverty alleviation, and empowerment of women, full employment, production systems planning, infrastructure planning, and habitat planning. Production potentials of a village through 'circular-flows' and "chain-effect" should be understood. The objective of this consultation is to arrive at "an Informatics Blueprint that covers Villages" for economic and social development; derivation of various development indicators which will act as pointers to understand the development potentials as well as constraints for sustainable development; use of data and sensitization at the lower level spatial units; relevance of geospatial intelligence, research, education, training and extension for micro level planning; institutional linkages and plan of action for implementation, etc.
e-Cooperatives and CoopNet
This is an Internet Enterprise Development Programme for fostering agricultural and rural industries. Rural Connectivity is the lifeline of rural economy. There are about 5.5 Lakh cooperative societies with a membership of more than 236 Million and working capital of more than Rs. 3400 Billion. Cooperatives have made remarkable progress in agriculture, banking, credit, agro-processing, storage, marketing, dairy, fishing and housing. This network covers 100% villages and 85% of rural households, and occupies a key position in agricultural development with respect to resources use, inputs use, harvesting of water resources, marketing channels, storage facilities, distribution channels, value addition, market information, and a regular monitoring network system. Cooperatives are also engaged in economic activities like disbursement of credit, distribution of agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilisers, and agro-chemicals), and arranging for Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary (SPS) measures of farm produces.
To begin with, it is suggested to network about 146000 Primary Agriculture and Credit Cooperatives (PACS), 19 National Level Cooperative Federations, 367 State Level Cooperative Federations and 2890 District level Cooperative Federations. Networking of Cooperatives through state-of-the-art technology is essential, which will facilitate to get connected to a National Data Centre (24/7 Infrastructure) for achieving the followings, for which an initial investment of Rs. 2500 Crores is required:
Build relationships and alliances faster
Re-engineer and integrate their processes
Develop more and better value-added products and services;
Share knowledge and experiences
Enhance innovation
Promote Web-based business trading
AGMARKNET
As a step towards to globalisation of agriculture, the Union Ministry of Agriculture has embarked upon an ICT project: NICNET based Agricultural Marketing Information System Network (AGMARKNET) in the country. This AGMARKNET project has already networked 735 Agricultural Produces Wholesale Markets (APWMs), during 2000-02 and embarked upon additional 2000 Markets during the Tenth Plan Period (2002-2007). As of 31 December 2005, 2500 APWMs have been brought under the AGMARKNET Programme, which has facilitated in developing the database on 300 commodities and about 2000 varieties. The Government initiative of the networking of agricultural produce markets (AGMARKNET) and the AGMARKNET Portal would facilitate the development of B2B and B2C e-Commerce Model in the Country. This project has the potential of expansion to about 7000 Wholesale Markets located through out the country and further to 35000 Rural Markets in India. This ICT Project is a 'farmer-centric' project to put the progressive farmers on 'global free trade zone on Internet'.
Digital SMEs
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have always been the engine of growth in developing as well as in transition economies. In India, SMEs are the second biggest employment generators after agriculture, providing jobs to over 9.2 million people, and accounts for 39 per cent of industrial production and 34 per cent of exports. It is estimated that there are around 350 Urban SME clusters and approximately 2000 Rural and Artisan based clusters (Rural SMEs) in India. This does not include the Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs), who constitutes of about 67% of the farming community in India. The process of globalisation has impacted SMEs much more than larger business enterprises, and there have been a lot of studies which show that SMEs are at crossroads. While developed countries have already taken a lead in this direction, developing countries have yet to fully exploit this system particularly to invigorate Small and Medium Enterprises. There is a need for
serious global thinking on how to ensure greater stability of SMEs, how to provide greater social security for those working in this sector, and, at the same time, how to retain the dynamic force that drives this secto.
Areas of business that are targeted for improvement of SMEs are: User profiling, Supply Chain, Value Chain, Customer-Relation-Management (CRM), SME Networks, and Suppliers Cooperation. The challenge for entrepreneurs is to think about creating solutions for the twin engines of future growth Rural India and SMEs. Cluster approach, Industrial Estates, Industrial Growth Centres, Export Processing Zones, Industrial Parks and Integrated Infrastructure Development Centres etc., have been the spatial policies for infrastructure development of SMEs.
The Hypothesis: "the proximity of a web of businesses lowers the unit cost of infrastructure, leads to accretion of skills and is a source of informational economies" holds good in respect
of SMEs.
Agricultural informatics and communication in India According to the National IT Task Force (1999) recommendation (No.79), "the Government shall take all necessary steps to boost IT for Agriculture and Integrated rural development". The Ministry of Agriculture and National Informatics Centre (NIC) emphasized informatics for Agricultural development in the National Conference on "Informatics for Sustainable Agricultural Development (ISDA-95), Many follow up actions (ICT projects: AGMARKNET, DACNET, etc) were taken up, to provide relevant agricultural information in rural areas, helping farmers to improve their labour productivity, increase their yields, and realise a better price for their produce. India is expected to become a 'Knowledge Society' by 2008 and by which time, any farmer in a remote village can demand and get the information about landuse planning for cropping strategy for farmers fields based on integrated information on soil, water, weather, fertiliser and pest management models; source to get proper seeds or good quality nursery plants; prevailing prices of farm equipments, agricultural produce, products and series of such set of information, which can lead to high productivity and optimum cost benefit to the farmers. To achieve this, the following things should happen:
An agriculture information centre in each village
Interactive exchange of information for planning and day-to-day operations by farmers
Availability of all the extension and advisory services on demand
Some suggested action plan
India has a vast knowledge in social sectors and natural resources. India has many states, which are minerals-rich, income-poor. Grassroots democracy has firmly taken root since the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution. Rural India should be given a chance through Digital Networks for Farmers (DNF), DISNIC Programme, e-Cooperatives, and digital SMEs, to usher in a 'digital inclusion' for fostering rural prosperity and grassroots level development. 'Grassroots level access to information (Networks)' and 'Grassroot level information to access (Digital Contents)' through 'local language interface', will hopefully help 'bridge theory and reality at grassroots'. An ICT-triggered rural knowledge revolution can help to break the barriers that stand between 'localised rural economies' and the 'globalised market'. Using ICT, an area in which India has expertise, rural India can be accorded its place in the World Economy, while still maintaining its predominantly agrarian economy. This will facilitate "Rural India to shine, smile and roar".
Strategies for Effective Communication and Public Awareness to be adopted, are as follows:-
Development of Proof-of-Concept Projects in pilot districts (as per the typology identified)
Agricultural Resources Information System (AgRIS)
AGMARKNET led Market extension system
Digital SMEs covering Urban Clusters and Rural Clusters
E-Cooperative and COOPNET of Agricultural and Rural Credit Societies
ICT for Micro level Planning : DISNIC Programme
Rural Empowerment and Development through e-Learning (READ): Community Information and Communication Centres and Digital Libraries (DL) Centres READ Centres through Broadband Connectivity in about 12000 Rural Colleges, which produce about 9 Million students in the age group of 21 -23 Years annually
Establishment of AgRIS Centres in 300 Agricultural Colleges (215 under SAU System, 85 under CAU and General Universities), 89 ICAR Institutions, and 35 State/Central Agricultural Universities
Networking of Departments of Geography, Departments/
Faculties of Agricultural Marketing, Schools of Earth and
Atmospheric Sciences, Schools of Social Sciences, Centres for Regional Development Studies, and Agricultural Colleges
Adoption of Quality Management System (QMS)
Intranet for Collaborative Research, Extension and Training
Portals in officially recognised Indian Languages - Localisation
Adoption of Portal Models
Broadcasting / Wider-Dissemination Model
Critical Flow Model
Comparative Analysis Model
E-Advocacy/ Lobbying and Pressure Group Model
Integrated Services Model
Documentation of Geometry of Information Flow
Capacity Building of all Stakeholders involved in the Collaborative Research and Development Models
This 'ICT for Development with a Rural Focus' is a 'much needed domestic strategy for sustainable livelihoods in Rural India'.
Walter Fust awarded
Walter Fust, Chairman of Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), was awarded by the organiser of the Second Gyanmela (Knowledge Fair) as the Best Global Knowledge Worker. The second Gyanmela was organised on January 20-21, 2006 by Amader Gram ICT4D Project in Sreefoltola village under Rampal Upzila (sub-district) of Bagerhat district. It was an innovative fair for knowledge, attempted to demonstrate how rural development can be achieved utilizing the power of information and communication technology (ICT). The credential was handed over in the inaugural ceremony of the Project's second annual event the Knowledge Fair in a remotest village of southwest Bangladesh on 20 January. Dr. Dora Rapold, Swiss Ambassador in Bangladesh was the Chief Guest in the opening of the Fair where she received the award on behalf of Mr. Walter Fust from a grassroots Knowledge Worker Ms. Lima Khatun.
It is our pleasure to state that Walter Fust is i4d's Advisory Board Member. We congratulate him for this honour.
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