Cyber extension

Cyber extension is used for all the fields Agriculture is no exception to it

1. CYBER EXTENSION IN AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Dr. Rajinder Kaur Kalra Professor and Head ( Retd .) Department of Extension Education

2. Agriculture Scenario

3. What is Cyber and Extension ? Cyber space is the virtual space in which computers are connected to each other on networks, across the globe. Extension stand for “the action or process of extending something” oxford dictionary says cyber means “Relating to information technology, internet and the cyber space” ( Punjabi and Somani, 2012)

4. Cyber Extension Cyber extension is an information exchange mechanism over cyber space, the imaginary space behind the interconnected computer networks through tele -communication means. ( Wijekoon, 2003) .

5. Cyber Extension In Agriculture Agricultural information exchange mechanism over cyber space through telecommunication means. (Singh and Singh 2011)

6. At first during 1995, ARIS (Agricultural Research Information System) was established to help students & farmers to get immediate information regarding agriculture During 1997, Agrisnet was started by GOI. MANAGE has established internet connectivity in 28 districts of 7 states viz., AP, Bihar, HP, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Orissa & Punjab under NATP. (Anonymous 2013) MILESTONES IN CYBER EXTENSION

7. To develop the linkages among farmers, extension agents and agriculture scientists To reduce the knowledge gap and increase knowledge sharing to accelerate agricultural growth To train the farmer in producing quality products Quick dissemination of innovations E-commerce, direct linkages among local producers, trader, retailers and suppliers To develop efficient feedback mechanism To empower small and marginal farmer To provide up to date information regarding market, agricultural practices, weather etc. NEED of cyber extension ( R Saravanan 2010)

8. To develop Linkages F armers Extension workers Agriculture specialists SAUs

9. To provide up to date information regarding market, agricultural practices, weather etc.

10. To train the farmers in producing the quality products By providing Online information Through web portals Demonstration through video-conferencing

11. Direct linkages among local producers, trader, retailers and suppliers: E-commerce Information transfer through E-mail Supply chain management

12. Through world wide web Through agricultural portals Quick dissemination of innovations

13. Latest packages of practices Best Agronomic practices Insect/Pest management Improved varieties Post-harvest technology Storage processing marketing Market information Price updates of inputs and outputs Availability of inputs and outputs Information provided is related to:

14. Early warning and management of Disease and pests: Early warning in case of some crops like sugarcane is important. Weather forecasting Rainfall Temperature humidity General agricultural news Claim processing Crop insurance scheme

15. Information about rural development programs and subsidies: detailed information on Government initiatives Information on latest techniques and technologies: Farm Machinery Storage techniques Soil testing and soil sampling information : testing of quality or nature of soil

16. Unique Features of Cyber Extension Store house of information Information available 24hours More interactive Information available on any part of globe Communication is dynamic

17. World Wide Web: a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the internet With the web browser, one can view web pages that may contain text, images, videos and other multimedia. Email: system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a computer network does not require the receiver of the message to be online at the time the message is sent or received Cyber Extension Tools

18. Call centres: Telecommunication infrastructure, computer support and human resources organized to effectively and efficiently manage queries raised by farmers instantly in his local language Farmers can immediately get answers to their problems in his local language KIOSKS: A multilingual online question and answer forum Provides online answers to questions asked by farmers and agri -professionals over the internet, kiosks Almost all the questions have been answered in the local language

19. Agriculture portals: Refers to a catalogue of records of related information of a particular area organised systematically and made available to the users on internet AGRITECH AGMARKNET Expert System: intelligent computer programme that uses the knowledge and inference procedures to solve the problems that are difficult enough to require human expertise for their solutions

20. Video conferencing: Uses telecommunication of audio and video to bring people at different sites together for meeting. Video conferencing uses telecommunication of audio and video to bring people at different sites together for meeting Improve farm communication

21. Warna wired village project Information village project Gyandoot project E-choupal E-Mitra Bhoomi FRIENDS E- Seva Lokmitra Cyber Extension projects

22. PAU site for expert services PEST FORCASTING By dept. of pathology In collaboration with school of information and technology , P A U, Ludhiana On karnal bunt disease ONLINE EXPERT SERVICES BY DEPT. OF HOME SCIENCE Establishment of boutique Home preservation of fruits and vegetables Nutritional recipes etc.

23. WEATHER FORCASTING AND AGRO-ADVISORY SERVICES By Dept of Agro metrology And Climatology Transfer proven technologies and agromet advisory services to end-users. Weather forecasting units at Ludhiana and Bathinda . Information regarding weather is send to KVKs through cyber extension tools Conti....

24. Save money, time and effort Information rich and interactive Can be accessed from any place on the earth Widen the scope of extension Per unit cost is less as compared to traditional form of extension Distortion of message is negligible Preserve the quality of message Experts can be contacted directly Potential Advantages of Cyber Extension

25.   Sometimes information given is not in the local language. Some information given may not hold good for local conditions. Illiterate farmers cannot get the benefit of cyber extension. Dissemination of technology through Cyber Extension in highly remote areas is a difficult task Disadvantages of Cyber E xtension

26. Poor updating of information and communication technologies Slack broadband or wireless connections in internet High end user price of connections being available High prevalence of illiteracy in rural areas Low or negligible availability of services providers for services such as internet ,software and hardware experts Reasons for limited seepage of cyber extension in rural areas

27. Low modem availability Low level of awareness about ICT Slugged approach to the service for telephone problems Radio and television though have a deep approach in rural areas, but services providers have have a limited coverage of issues Low economic purchasing power parity(PPP) Conti....

28. Hurdled and inconsistent availability of power leading to transmission hitches Low motivational parameters among the rural people Inadequate and improper training to the extension staff Lack of strong network for cyber extension Conti....

29. Each sector of cyber extension should form partnership and coordination with each other Cost-recovery approaches should be introduced. Public-Private and NGO Partnership with the collaboration of mass media and ICTs should be promoted. Appropriate ICT models for agricultural extension should be replicated and extensively used for farm information dissemination. Strategies for Effective Cyber Extension Services Strategies For Effective Cyber Extension Services

30. Extension agents should concentrate on wider role including input supply, market intervention, and linking farmers for farm credit. SHGs could play important roles in articulating the needs of farmers to knowledge intermediaries Capacity building and development of leadership and management skills should be promoted Conti....

31. Thank You