Indifference towards the use of new technologies in agricultural operations

Although the country's overall economic growth rate has been negative in the last financial year during the Corona era, the country's agricultural sector has managed to save the economy from plunging into a deep slump by achieving a positive growth rate. The contribution of agriculture to our economy remains significant, but a recent study has revealed that the use of technology in the agricultural sector is still in its infancy at a time when there is a significant increase in the use of technology in various sectors. The study claims that only two per cent of the total farmers in the country use agribusiness related mobile apps to get agricultural related activities and real time alerts. The level of acceptance of tech solutions like the Internet of Things is also very low. Probably due to the indifference in the adoption of technology, 90% of the start-ups and tech-based companies operating in the country provide solutions that focus on pre-harvest operations. Acceptance of the Internet of Things in the global agricultural sector is expected to triple between 2015 and 2030.

Solutions for post-harvest operations require high investment. The study concluded that companies are reluctant to invest in the development of such solutions, as there is uncertainty in the return of companies to the post-harvest performance of tech solutions such as the Internet of Things. The acceptance of 5 to 7 per cent of the Internet of Things in the so-called agricultural value chain, the foundation of the country's economy, is very low. Issues such as low income levels among farmers and tenant farming are becoming obstacles to the acceptance of the Internet of Things. The main reason for the low use of modern technology in pre- and post-harvest operations is the high cost of solutions. Farmers do not see any hard evidence that the use of these solutions reduces agricultural costs.

From the point of view of the use of technology, even though more than five decades have passed since the green revolution in the country, the agricultural system of the country is still very fragile. There is only a bad monsoon gap between farmers and the neglect of the agricultural sector. Even after 8 years of independence, due to lack of adequate infrastructure in the country, the agriculture sector is still becoming a risky business. If the risks are not removed immediately, it will not have a direct impact on the country's economy. The time has come for the government to take the farmers into confidence and make adequate efforts to increase the use of technology to revive the agricultural sector.

To improve the condition of farmers, the government has taken first steps like health card, crop insurance, contract farming, national agriculture market etc. but these measures are not enough. The days are not yet over when the country's agricultural sector will flourish and farmers' incomes will double. Today's age is full of technology. It is necessary to make a technology based agricultural revolution. India has many problems and the solution lies in technology. A large number of farmers are poor in terms of resources. Farmers may be less educated but they need to be trusted to accept income-generating measures.

One of the main reasons behind the low acceptance of modern technology in pre-harvest and post-harvest operations is the indifference of farm laborers. In addition, the high cost of various solutions and the reluctance to change the method of work due to fear have also been to some extent responsible. In order to increase agricultural productivity, investment in new farm technologies is being emphasized in both developed and developing countries, from which India cannot be excluded.

In today's situation, the Indian agricultural conglomerate needs to be supported through policy, technology and investment. There is an urgent need today to acquaint them with technology. Despite the advent of new technology, neither the state nor the central government is doing anything in this direction. Farming now needs a variety of technology platforms. The Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-name) system was set up in 2014 to make it easier for farmers to sell their produce, but given the long-running farmers' movement in the country, the system does not seem to have benefited the farmers.

Many measures have been taken by the government to improve the condition of farmers or to alleviate their frustration, including loan waivers, crop insurance schemes, but these measures are not a permanent solution to various ailments of farmers. It provides only temporary medicine. Agriculture is India's largest private sector business, but it is not given enough attention by the country's policy makers and farmers are seen more as a vote bank. It would not be wrong to say that the share of the agricultural sector in the country's growing economic growth rate is becoming limited, which in the long run does not seem to be a threat to the country's overall economic growth rate.