What is e-Agriculture?

Information and communication technology in agriculture (ICT in agriculture), also known as e-agriculture, focuses on the enhancement of agricultural and rural development through improved information and communication processes. Involvement of digitalization and improved technologies in field of agricultural and its allied sectors. which is called as smart farming or smart agriculture or e-agriculture. E-agriculture is one of the action lines identified in the declaration and plan of action of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

• Digital technologies—including the Internet, mobile technologies and devices, data analytics, artificial intelligence, digitally-delivered services and apps—are changing agriculture and the food system.

• Digital technologies can also help governments improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing policies and programme, and to design better ones.

• digital technologies enable automation of administrative processes for agriculture and the development of expanded government services, such as in relation to extension or advisory services.

• different stages of the agri-food value chain: farm machinery automation allows fine-tuning of inputs and reduces demand for manual labour; remote satellite data and in-situ sensors improve the accuracy and reduce the cost of monitoring crop growth and quality of land or water; and traceability technologies and digital logistics services offer the potential to streamline agri-food supply chains, while also providing trusted information for consumers.

• Policymakers will need to consider potential benefits, costs and risks, and to understand the factors affecting technology uptake so that interventions can be targeted to where there is a market failure, or a public interest.

WHY DO WE NEED IT?

• e-Agriculture is all about knowledge exchange between UN agencies, governments, universities, research organizations, NGOs, farmers' organizations, private sector, and the wider community.

• e-agriculture involves the conceptualization, design, development, evaluation and application of innovative ways to use information and communication.

LIST OF TECHNOLOGIES BY e-AGRICULTURE:

1. WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES.

2. GPS(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM).

3. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM.

4. Computer-controlled devices .

5. SMART PHONE MOBILE APPS IN AGRICULTURE.

6. RFID FOR ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION.