Two major trends that affect our planet: population growth and urbanization. The predicted population growth for the first half of this century is daunting. Depending on the estimate, there will be 9 to 10 billion people by mid-century. The current population is just under 7 billion, meaning that there will be about a 50 percent increase from the beginning to the middle of this century. One may debate the relative accuracy of particular models, but they all agree that there will be many, many more mouths to feed in the coming decades.
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5612AQFC6iNjKGUwOg/article-inline_image-shrink_400_744/0?e=2127686400&v=beta&t=3HZ8KcYLS5p4FLAp9aUpnYNZ4L6pMv2RoYzDxNw91eA
IT has transformed many other aspects of human endeavor and has helped create systems for responding to a wide range of societal needs. Indeed, transportation, communication, national security, and health systems are completely reliant on IT to perform even basic functions. However, information, and its automated technological embodiment, has not impacted agriculture to the same level.
The Importance of Agriculture
Agriculture is a major sector which is vital for the survival of modern man. Plants are the producers in the food chain, and without them, the life cycle would just not be possible. Agricultural produce, though highly perishable compared to other food sources, is essential for survival. Crops are used to produce several food sources by themselves or through by-products such as bread, powders, organic additives to other goods and the like.https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5612AQFmsfOwN6urfQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=2127686400&v=beta&t=wMc9fMLc06UqRqbrceE1ukukZOA6rnAjToHf1jBhXh0
The produce from agriculture drives trade from one country to another, brings income for farmers, makes productive use of otherwise idle land, and brings food on the table. It is such an important part of everyone’s daily life, although it may not be seen as a direct factor since the produce goes a long way before reaching the hands of everyone who benefits from it. Because of its importance to society, it’s must to evolve with the times and adjust to meet the needs of modern people. By adapting and making use of IT to help improve agricultural progress, everyone benefits from the union of these sectors.
Role of IT in Agriculture
In the context of agriculture, the potential of information technology (IT) can be assessed broadly under two heads: (a) as a tool for direct contribution to agricultural productivity and (b) as an indirect tool for empowering farmers to take informed and quality decisions which will have positive impact on the way agriculture and allied activities are conducted.
Precision farming, popular in developed countries, extensively uses IT to make direct contribution to agricultural productivity. The techniques of remote sensing using satellite technologies, geographical information systems, and agronomy and soil sciences are used to increase the agricultural output. This approach is capital intensive and useful where large tracts of land are involved. Consequently it is more suitable for farming taken up on corporate lines.
The indirect benefits of IT in empowering farmer are significant and remain to be exploited. The farmer urgently requires timely and reliable sources of information inputs for taking decisions. At present, the farmer depends on trickling down of decision inputs from conventional sources which are slow and unreliable. The changing environment faced by farmers makes information not merely useful, but necessary to remain competitive.
The Effects of IT on Agriculture
IT has made its way into the agricultural sector, and with positive results. To name a few, here are some of its effects:
Improved decision making
Better planning
Community involvement
Agricultural breakthroughs
Agriculture for everyone
People only have to open their minds to the endless possibilities that technological advancement can bring to agriculture. Instead of being locked away with the traditional strategies for planting, why not get involved in new and improved methods of farming? Today’s society can benefit from agricultural advancements and live sustainable lives by improving the production, harvest methods, and distribution of agricultural goods. All of these effects and more are possible through the successful merge of IT and agriculture which is why farmers are getting more and more encouraged to take part in this positive change.
Reference from
https://www.nae.edu/
http://kgmonline.hubpages.com/
Like:
Importance of Information Technology in Agricultural Reforms
resteem and share
Share Importance of Information Technology in Agricultural Reforms
source: