Need for National Information Infrastructure and 'Central Research Institute for Agricultural Informatics' under DARE/ICAR

Authors

  • R Raman Nair Executing Editor. Legally responsible for the material. Centre for Informatics Research and Development. Trivandrum - 43, ([email protected])

Keywords:

Agricultural and Farm Information System, NAGFIS, Agricultural Informatics

Abstract

Information and Informatics are crucial, potentially influencing the efficiency of production, marketing, processing and administration as well as education, research and extension in agricultural sectors. Agricultural development processes rests heavily on availability and accessibility of information to managers, scientists and farmers. Yet these aspects of agriculture get least consideration and therefore, inefficiency, ineffectiveness and failures have become obvious in managing the resources in the sector. Attempts in developing Information Systems as well as promoting Informatics Research in Agriculture have failed in India due to lack of conceptual clarity, effective measures and integrated approach. The paper outlines the national scenario in this regard and proposes the creation of a Directorate of Agricultural Informatics under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, establishment of a Central Institute for Agricultural Informatics for teaching, research and development of agricultural informatics and the establishment of National Information Infrastructure for Agriculture that includes a network for Information management in the sector. Objectives, organizational structure and characteristics of the institutions proposed are discussed in the paper.

Author Biography

  • R Raman Nair, Executing Editor. Legally responsible for the material. Centre for Informatics Research and Development. Trivandrum - 43, ([email protected])
    Raman Nair R: has Masters in Library and Information Science from Banaras Hindu University and PhD in Agricultural Informatics from University of Kerala. Aassociated with OAprojects of Kerala Legislative Assembly, and Mahatma Gandhi University Online PhD Theses. Was a member of the National Committee on Submission and Access to Electronic Theses and Dissertations in Universities in India. Organized many national/ international workshops on ICT under Ministries of Science and Technology, Agriculture and Culture of Govt of India.

References

Deshmukh, P.P. Role of libraries in agricultural education, research and extension. In Information systems for agricultural sciences and technology Ed by P.P. Deshmukh. New Delhi, Metropolitan, 1987: 137-149.

Ballantyne, Peter. Managing the flow of scientific information for agricultural research in small countries: An Issue paper. Hague. ISNAR, 1991: 11.

Ruttan, V.W. Towards a global agricultural research system. In Policy for Agricultural Research, edited by V.W. Ruttan and C.E. Pray. New York, Boulder, 1987: 84.

Subbaiah, R. Conceptual framework for an Indian National Agricultural Information System (INAGRIS). (Unpublished PhD Thesis). Trivandrum, University of Kerala, 1985: 41

Prasad, C. Information Science and Technology. In Information Technology Ed by Swaminathan. Madras, Macmillan, 1991: 10.

Blum, Abraham. Mapping and comparing agricultural knowledge system as evaluation and improvement instruments. Keynote Address delivered at the National Conference on Frontiers of Extension Education in 21st Century. Lucknow, November 8, 1997: 14.

India, Agricultural Research and Education, Department of. Annual Report. 2001-2002. New Delhi, the author, 2002: 161.

Randhawa, R.S. Agricultural research and education for productive agriculture by Indian Council of Agricultural Research. New Delhi, the author, 1989. 320.

Hansra B.S, Perumal, G. and Chandrakandan, K. Modernizing Indian Agriculture in the 21st century: Challenges, opportunities and strategies. New Delhi, Concept, 2001: 37.

Metcalfe, Hohn R. Strategic Issues in agricultural information with special reference to developing countries. IAALD Quarterly Bulletin, 34(4), 1989: 114.

Raman Nair, R. Agricultural and Farm Information System for The country. At the National Seminar on Human relations in Librarianship, Directorate of Public Libraries, Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada, 1996: 301.

Raman Nair, R. Automating Agricultural University Libraries: Need for Standards and guidelines. Proceedings of CALIBER –1997. Thaper Research Institute, Patiala, 1997: 127.

Raman Nair, R. Investigative and Evaluative Study of Factors Affecting the Quality of Agricultural and Farm Information Services (Theses). University of Kerala, 2005

Raman Nair, R. Strategic Plans for Designing Information Systems under Local Government. Proceedings of the IASLIC Seminar -1998. Thrissur, The country Agricultural University, 1998: 751.

Raman Nair, R. Who should Manage Information Technology Development? In Agricultural Information Systems: VISION 2020. Thrissur, IASLIC Study Circle, Thrissur, 2000: 11.

Raman Nair. R. Priorities in information management systems for agricultural research and development in India. In the Proceedings of the National Conference on Role of Libraries in National Development, University of Calicut, 1996: 431-437.

Published

2021-02-01