Information technology can play an important role towards facilitating the desired level of development in
agriculture. This was the view which emerged at the conclusion of a four-day training programme on use of information technology in agriculture at the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT), State Agriculture Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI). Members of block technicalteams from various districts attended this four-day training programme.
Speaking about the role of information technology in agriculture, the director of Extension Education and SAMETI, Dr YPS Dabas said that it is important to facilitate the timely exchange of correct information in the agriculture sector. Farmers are being provided information in no time through mobile SMS on weather, fertilizer, market scenario and other aspects.
The university with the help of Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur is providing voice SMS service to farmers so that they may better understand the messages sent to them.
Scientists of the university informed the participants about the various aspects of IT being used in Uttarakhand and the situation specific services being provided in the interest of farmers and others involved in the agriculture sector. The participants were also taught about the various computer softwares and programmes which are useful in facilitating the desired tasks.