Subject: Economy

Agriculture transformation through e-technology has become a cornerstone for enhancing both production efficiency and market accessibility in India's agrarian landscape.

Role of E-Technology in Agricultural Production

• Precision Agriculture: Implementation of AI and ML-based solutions help farmers in optimal resource utilization through soil health monitoring, crop selection, and irrigation management.

• Digital Monitoring: Usage of drones and satellite imaging enables real-time crop surveillance, early detection of pest infestations, and assessment of crop health status.

• Smart Advisory Services: Integration of AI-powered chatbots provides farmers with instant guidance on agricultural practices, weather forecasts, and crop management techniques.

• Knowledge Dissemination: According to recent studies, 84.16% of farmers utilize social media platforms like WhatsApp, YouTube, and Facebook for accessing agricultural information and improving their knowledge about pests and diseases.

Impact on Agricultural Marketing

• Direct Market Access: E-technology platforms eliminate intermediaries, enabling farmers to directly connect with buyers, resulting in better price realization and reduced transaction costs.

• Information Symmetry: Digital platforms provide real-time market prices, demand patterns, and quality requirements, empowering farmers with better decision-making capabilities.

• Mobile-based Solutions: Studies indicate that 91.8% of farmers benefit from SMS-based information services for market-related updates and agricultural advisories.

Government Initiatives and Support

• National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA): Focuses on implementing advanced technologies like blockchain, AI, and robotics to modernize agricultural practices.

• Digital Agriculture Mission: Promotes the integration of emerging technologies for creating a unified platform for farmers.

The integration of e-technology in agriculture has revolutionized traditional farming practices, with initiatives like Digital Agriculture Investment Scheme and Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program providing the necessary infrastructure support. Moving forward, continued technological adoption and digital literacy among farmers will be crucial for achieving sustainable agricultural growth and doubling farmers' income by 2025.