Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

This member contributed to:

    • 1.What are the potential entry points for government to address challenges and foster the development of digital agriculture?

      Basically, India is having agrarian economy with more than 70 percent of population depends upon agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood. Unfortunately, share of agriculture is continuoulsy declining over the years, with 15% contribution in GDP. Recently our Government is seriously making her efforts to double the farmers income. It is really a herculean task for us. If digitalisation of farm sector is succeed in our country by  making double of the farmer's income on one hand and increasing the employment in agricultural sector our country and create more and more opportunities for our youths of small land holding in this sector, on the other. Only in that  case we can say that digitalization is  getting success.

      2.How can the establishment of the Digital Council address the numerous barriers to adoption of these technologies?

      Following steps should be taken by Digital Council to address the numerous barriers to adoption of these technologies 

      1.Wide spread Awareness programmes must be conducted in rural areas regarding digitalization of agriculture.

      2.At the national level, various Regional Digital  Councils may be established at  state/district and village level.

       

      3.Do you think that the roles identified for the Digital Council are suitable for facing the agrifood systems challenges outlined above?

      - Certainly. It can play it's vital role, if the general farmer is involved to adopt and in implementation of digitalization of agriculture in our country.

      4.What governance structure should be in place in order for the Council to serve its purpose?

      Following Governance structure can be established 

              INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

                          -

      Various International Agencies and respective National Governments

                        -

      1.Different State Governments  2.NGOs   3.Private Sector 4.Different Political Groups and People 

      4

       

    • In India, approximately 36.09 percent of agricultural land is irrigated and rest of the land depends on the vagaries of monsoon or rainwater. Most of the rainwater is not properly utilized for farm purpose due to non-availability of storage facilities and practices. A large amount of rainwater goes to be wasted. If this water is properly stored for the longest time, then It can be used for cropping during the non-monsoon ( non-rainy session ) . Different types of practices and methods are being adopted in different parts of our country. I would like to mention, such practices which are popularly being adopted in desert districts of Rajasthan(India), where rain is uncertain. And not being properly stored and used for agricultural purposes. However, farmers are trying their best to store this huge amount of rainwater through traditional method, known as TANKA SYSTEM.TANKA is a traditional pitcher of water used in Thar desert of Rajasthan of a traditional technology. Water is collected in it and taken out using the help of bucket. These are mainly made in rural areas of Rajasthan. But their storing capacity is too low to store plenty of rainwater. If storing capacities of these tankas are increased and quality of its construction is improved, then more rainwater can be stored and used for agricultural purposes. This method is beneficial for marginal and small farmers.

      DR V.V.BARTHWAL

      INDIA