Discuss how the use of Information Technology can help in rural development of India.

Question

Accepted Answer

The challenge here is to build cost-effective IT based systems to improve the living standards of Indian rural population.

1. If farmers can plan their crop according to the need that is likely to generate in future then the gap between the demand and supply can be bridged. Information technology assists in making database available to such farmers with regard to the returns, the market is likely to generate by the time the crops are ready. This would minimise the uncertainty of the farmers.

2. The quality and quantity of crops can be increased manifold if the farmers are made aware of the latest equipments, technologies and resources. Internet is a user-friendly medium, which provides a platform for easy exchange of information on a global level.

3. Issues like weather forecast, crop treatment, fertilisers, pesticides, storage conditions etc. can be well administered, if expert opinion is made available to the farmers.

4. With the help of information technology, the crutches of middlemen can be done away with and the farmers can get a clear vision about the market, latest technologies and hence channelise their potential accordingly. This would make them self-sufficient and yield planned crops with a ready market.