BioVoice News August 2016 Issue 4 Volume 1 | Page 9

bio social AGRICULTURE COMMUNICATION GOES HITECH IN INDIA! The government of India has launched number of web and mobile based applications for dissemination of information on agricultural related activities, free of cost, for the benefit of farmers and other stakeholders BY BIOVOICE NEWS DESK T he timely interventions by the government agencies for dissemination of right information to Indian farmers is a welcome step. As per the agriculture ministry, it has conducted a number of workshops and Krishi Mela’s involving the State and Union Territory officials as well as farmers for educating and demonstrating the initiatives including the new apps and portal. Centrally developed by the government through the services of National Information Centre (NIC) and in-house team, these mobile apps and portal are available in the public domain. provides current weather and 4 days weather forecast across the country for more than 300 cities. The use of these mobile applications becomes much relevant due to the fact that villagers across India are now using the mobile handsets. Once they come to know about apps, it would surely make them to ask Pusha Krishi: This app provides information on latest technologies to farmers. Crop Insurance: Famer can learn of insurance premium, notified area etc. on the mobile. Agri Market: Farmer can learn of the prices of various crops in the mandis near him. India Weather: This app mKisan Portal: This is a unified platform from where officials and scientists can send targeted text and voice based advisories to the farmers on a host of issues related to agriculture and allied sectors. Crop Insurance Portal: To provide complete information related to Crop Insurance scheme being implemented in the country. Participatory Guarantee System of India (PGS) Portal: This is a portal for encouraging participatory approach to certification of organic farming in the country. Major mobile applications developed by the government: Kisan Suvidha: This app has a simple interface and provides information on five critical parameters- weather, input dealers, market price, plant protection and expert advisories. Agromet advisories. their closed ones