HARNESSING DIGITAL AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN INDIA: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (SI-1) ◽  
pp. 215-230
Author(s):  
Dr.Jeevan Kumar Cheruku ◽  
Vishal Katekar
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Digital Agriculture ◽  
The Government

Agriculture in India faces an unprecedented challenge. As a signatory to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), India must end hunger by 2030. Achievement of this goal hinges on finding viable solutions to make farming a sustainable source of income generation by adopting sustainable agricultural practices. A survey of the literature reveals that digital technologies offer promising results to farmers globally. However, India lags in the adoption of digital technologies in agriculture. The paper identifies opportunities in promoting the development and adoption of digital agriculture technologies. It analyses policy interventions of the Government of India, such as Digital Agriculture and Precision Agriculture, to make the agriculture sector more sustainable in terms of economic, environmental, and societal perspectives. This research paper discusses barriers to their adoption and provides policy suggestions. It is an analytical paper based on a survey of literature that is secondary sources such as books, research articles, and policy documents, reports published by various government and non-government organizations, online databases, and discussion papers. Thematic analysis was used to identify sustainable agriculture dimensions and discover opportunities and challenges in using digital agriculture technologies.

Sustainable Agriculture

2019 ◽  
pp. 107-129
Author(s):  
Gordon Conway ◽  
Ousmane Badiane ◽  
Katrin Glatzel
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Ecological Intensification ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

This chapter proposes that the way forward will be a prosperous and sustainable agriculture sector deeply rooted in the concept of sustainable intensification (SI): producing more with less, using inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides more prudently, adapting to climate change, reducing GHG emissions, improving natural capital such as soil moisture capacity and the diversity of pests' enemies, and building resilience. One approach to SI is to employ precision agriculture, ensuring that inputs—whether nutrients, pesticides, seeds, or water—are used in a precise, sparing, effective, and strategic way in order to minimize their environmental impact. Thus microdosing permits the prudent, targeted use of inputs such as fertilizers, thereby improving soil quality and moisture while reducing the environmental impact that excessive use can cause. It also reduces costs and helps improve nutrient use efficiency and protection against drought. Precision farming focuses on just one aspect of SI. More generally, it is a concept that includes three mutually reinforcing pillars: ecological intensification, genetic intensification, and socioeconomic intensification.

scholarly journals Digitalization of Agriculture Sector in Japan

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 358-369
Author(s):  
K. S. Kostyukova
Keyword(s):  
Systems Analysis ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
The Government ◽  
Role Of The Government

Purpose: this article includes the review of the Japanese policy on the digital transformation transformation of the agricultural sector, description and analysis of the implementation cases, as well as identification of obstacles to achieve the expected results.Methods: the study uses the methods of structural, comparative and systems analysis and the principle of formal logic. The article is based on the analysis of scientific and analytical materials devoted to the problem of research. The factual basis is the framework documents of the Cabinet of Japan, media, reports of Japanese research institutes.Results: the article provides a brief review and analysis of the Japanese public of digital transformation of the agricultural sector, provides some cases, summarizes the interim results of the measures taken, identifies problematic factors that prevent the achievement of the expected results. The hypothesis is put forward about the key role of the government in the process of developing new standards for the digital transformation.Conclusions and Relevance: Japan agricultural sector is facing a severe labor shortage. The situation is expected to get worse in the next 5 years. The Japanese government expects that digital technologies and autonomous equipment will compensate for the lack of labor on farms, as well as provide a new stage in the development of the traditional agricultural sector. However, the digitalization of agriculture sector is not limited to the introduction of the latest technology, but also involves the development of new safety rules for the use of robotic tractors, unmanned aerial vehicles, improving farmers ICT education, and standardizing new agricultural terms. However, despite the promise of using digital technologies, the high cost of new equipment and the complexity of its use is a significant obstacle to the digitalization of agriculture in Japan. The study of the features of the digital transformation of the Japanese agricultural sector is very important for the effective implementation of industry projects that exist today in Russia.

scholarly journals Agriculture 4.0 and Smart Sensors. The Scientific Evolution of Digital Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Kremer Sott ◽  
Leandro da Silva Nascimento ◽  
Cristian Rogério Foguesatto ◽  
Leonardo B. Furstenau ◽  
Kadígia Faccin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Smart Sensors ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Technological Adoption ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Digital Agriculture ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Theoretical Reflection

: The agriculture sector is one of the backbones of many countries’ economies and its processes have been changing in order to enable technological adoption to increase productivity, quality, and sustainable development. In this research, we present a theoretical reflection through a scientific mapping of the adoption of precision techniques and breakthrough technologies in agriculture, the so-called Precision Agriculture (PA) and Agriculture 4.0 (A4.0). To do this, we used 4,694 documents from the Web of Science database to perform a Bibliometric Performance and Network Analysis (BPNA) of the literature with the support of the PICOC protocol and the SciMAT software. Our findings present 22 strategic themes related to Digital Agriculture (DA) such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Climate-smart Agriculture (CSA) among others, and the thematic network structures of the motor themes and the thematic evolution structure of the field of the study over time. In addition, our results discuss the main challenges and opportunities of DA. Our findings have the potential to provide insights for practitioners and researchers in decision-making and pave the way for future works.

Structural equation model of young farmers' intention to adopt sustainable agriculture: a case study in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Apurbo Sarkar ◽  
Hongyu Wang ◽  
Airin Rahman ◽  
Jony Abdul Azim ◽  
Waqar Hussain Memon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Interpersonal Behavior ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
The Government

Abstract This paper aims to assess young farmers' willingness to adopt sustainable agriculture (SA) by implementing the expanded theory of planned behavior (TPB) within the northern region of Bangladesh. The outcomes attained specified that attitudes toward SA, perceived behavior control and perceived self-identity have progressive and fundamental impacts on adoption behavior and affect farmers' intentions to adopt SA's particular production mechanism. On the other hand, the social interface view toward SA is not significantly associated with the Bangladeshi farmer's adoption intention. The results also show that interconnections between social and familial pressure are not significant for sustainable farming practice adoption intentions. However, the interconnections among the psychosocial factors have a crucial role in formulating the TPB to forecast the intentional behavior for adopting SA practices. Thus, the government should highlight the advantages of several sustainable agricultural practices and circulate more detailed information regarding SA tactics to improve the knowledge gap of smallholder farmers. Furthermore, training facilities should be extended to improve the attitude and perceived self-identity of young farmers. Moreover, the formulation of structural information sharing platforms and agricultural value chain facilities should also help shape young farmers' interpersonal behavior in adopting SA practices.

scholarly journals Drug and Therapeutics Committee (DTC) evolvement and expanded scope in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Habtamu Seyoum ◽  
Zinabie Feleke ◽  
Dinkineh Bikila ◽  
Alebel Yaregal ◽  
Amsalu Demisie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation System ◽  
Child Survival ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Drug And Therapeutics Committee ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
The Government

Background: As a key partner of Ministry of Health (MOH) Ethiopia, The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) had been implementing the Child Survival Project (CSP) since October 2015. Strengthening DTC was one of its focuses to improve overall supply chain management (SCM). The objectives of this study are to review the evolution of DTCs in Ethiopia from their early years to current practice and identify the major hindering factors for their functionality. Methods: A descriptive study design was employed with mainly qualitative data collection methods and analysis. The assessment made use of both qualitative and quantitative data, generated from primary sources through key informant interviews and from secondary sources through desk review methods. Results: DTCs were introduced in Ethiopia in the early 1980’s. The mandate of DTCs has been given to four different government organizations since this time. As a result, its implementation was lagging. Recently, the government and its partners have given attention to DTCs. More than 5847 professionals underwent DTC training from 2016 onwards. DTC establishment in health facilities (HFs) improved from 85% to 98% between 2015 and 2019 during baseline and endline assessments carried out by CHAI/CSP. Similarly, DTC functionality in HFs improved from 20% to 63%. The CHAI/CSP regular supervision data analysis revealed that DTC establishment improved from 83% to 100% of HFs, while its functionality improved from 5% to 72% between 2016 and 2019, respectively. A chi-square test of independence examining the relationship between facility and pharmacy head training on DTCs and functionality of DTC in the same facility revealed significant association between the two variables at p<0.0001. Conclusions: Providing consistent capacity building and availing strong monitoring and evaluation system improves functionality of DTCs. Moreover, national coordinating bodies for DTCs and similar structures at Regional Health Bureaus and woreda health offices should be established.

scholarly journals Influence of Selected Institutional and Technological Factors on the Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture Technologies in Maize Farming in Mzimba South, Malawi

2020 ◽  
pp. 16-26
Author(s):  
Owen Austin Banda ◽  
Maurice Ongalo Udoto ◽  
Joel Kipkemoi Ng’eno
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Technological Factors ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
The Government ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Sustainable Agriculture Technologies (SATs) significantly contribute to addressing the negative effects of land degradation, poor soil health and climate variability in the agriculture sector. Despite efforts made by different stakeholders in promoting SATs to improve maize productivity in Mzimba South in Malawi, the adoption of the technologies among small-scale farmers remains unsatisfactory. As a result, most of the farmers continue to realize low maize yields. A survey was conducted from July to September 2019 to investigate the influence of selected institutional and technological factors on the adoption of SATs in maize farming among the small-scale farmers in Mzimba South. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a representative sample of 132 small-scale maize farming household heads. Data was collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire. Multivariate probit, ordered probit and ordinary least square (OLS) models were applied to determine the influence of the selected factors on the adoption of SATs at α level of .05 using STATA and SPSS. Qualitative data was analyzed by a deductive approach, in which responses were categorized and summarized under the related themes. The study established that the adoption of SATs was significantly influenced by membership in farmer organizations (FOs), access to extension services, and the levels of relative advantage and complexity associated with the SATs. The findings of the study implied that the Government of Malawi and relevant stakeholders in the agriculture sector need to train and recruit more extension field staff to improve coverage and frequency of extension services delivery on sustainable agriculture. The stakeholders should also promote affiliation of the small-scale farmers to FOs to improve access to agricultural extension services and production resources on sustainable farming. In addition, efforts should be made to develop and promote affordable mechanization options for reducing farm drudgery associated with the implementation of SATs. Furthermore, the Government of Malawi should facilitate the formulation, enactment, and enforcement of local by-laws for safeguarding the SATs and their related inputs (or raw materials) against vandalism, livestock damage, and bushfires.

Emerging Technological Model to Sustainable Agriculture

2021 ◽  
pp. 101-122
Author(s):  
Palanivel Kuppusamy ◽  
Suganthi Shanmugananthan ◽  
Pradeep Tomar
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
The State ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Industry ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Digital Agriculture ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Technological Model

The agricultural sector has witnessed significant technological transformations over the last few decades. The state-of-the-art technologies are transforming the traditional agriculture models into digital agriculture. From these technologies, conventional agriculture has evolved and shifted towards a smart agriculture system. In a smart agriculture system, farmers can collect and analyze the collected data to fertilize and tend their crops. The smart agriculture system provides economical and more accurate ways to predict and protect crop growth. The incorporation of these technologies digitalizes the agricultural industry by increasing profits, reducing waste, improving efficiency, and becoming sustainable. This chapter aims to study the state-of-the-art technologies used in the agriculture sector and proposes a smart agriculture model using these technologies.

The Ombudsman Act 1980: redressing administrative grievances in Bangladesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-184
Author(s):  
Sheikh Mohammad Towhidul Karim
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Public Confidence ◽  
Operational Effectiveness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
The Government

Purpose It is recognized worldwide that an ombudsman system makes the public administration more transparent and accountable to the public. This paper aims to examine the provisions of the Ombudsman Act 1980, as well as the position, role and necessity of the Office of the Ombudsman in Bangladesh. It also evaluates how the ombudsman institution can act as a gateway for citizens of Bangladesh to resolve complaints against the maladministration of public administration in the country. Design/methodology/approach The study is basically qualitative in nature where both primary and secondary sources have been used. As well, a combination of analytical methods and current legislative methods, together with future legislative techniques, was used in the study. Findings This study finds that the ombudsman is a vital institution for Bangladesh to eliminate maladministration, nepotism and abuse of human rights, as well as abuse of the power of the public administration. Going forward, Bangladesh needs to amend the existing Ombudsman Act 1980 and then take proper steps to firmly establish the Ombudsman Office to ensure and increase public confidence, operational effectiveness and good governance and human rights throughout the country. Research limitations/implications The main implication of this study is that it will play an important role for the development of the rule of law and human rights in Bangladesh. This study will make its readers and particularly the citizens of Bangladesh aware of the importance of the “Office of the Ombudsman” in Bangladesh and the existing loopholes in the current Ombudsman Act 1980. This research also provides a new avenue for scholars to contribute their knowledge and wisdom toward nation-building by further researching the Office of the Ombudsman in Bangladesh. In this way, scholars in this field can share their experiences of the role of the ombudsman to a wider audience. Practical implications The study will facilitate policymakers and the government to enact an effective new law or to amend the existing law relating to the ombudsman. Originality/value The paper sets out the proposed amendment to the Ombudsman Act 1980. Hence, it will be of interest to policymakers, government, organizations of civil society and those developing countries that have not taken steps toward forming an ombudsman institution.

scholarly journals Structural Equation Modelling of Perception for Sustainable Agriculture as Climate Change Mitigation Strategy in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Ankamah ◽  
Theophilus Tweneboah Kodua ◽  
Mary Addae
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Farmer Education

Abstract Background Ghana’s agriculture sector has contributed significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the past decades even though there has been persistent decline of about 12.8% in the last seven years. It decreased from 31.8% in 2009 to merely 19% as of September 2015, a period of seven years. In spite of these trends, sustainable agriculture has been observed to be a game changer in agricultural development and growth globally. Sustainable agriculture is partly dependent on the attitude of the present agriculture students who represent the potential officers to impart sustainable agriculture knowledge to farmers. It is therefore relevant to assess the perception of students toward the concept of sustainable agriculture on climate change to inform policy decisions and interventions. Methods To assess the perception of students’ toward sustainable agriculture, this study sampled 120 final year undergraduate students’ in the School of Agriculture at the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon. The study used a well-structured questionnaire to solicit students’ perception for sustainable agriculture, its’ adoption barriers and perceived strategies to address the barriers in Ghana. Results Findings indicated that students’ perception for sustainable agriculture is positive. Majority of the students (78%) were of the view that sustainable agricultural practices would help protect the environment and our natural resources, therefore could mitigate adverse effects of climate change on agricultural activities. Conclusions Students ranked perceived barriers to sustainable agriculture adoption as; economic costs, lack of knowledge and land tenure constraints. Strategic ways to address the barriers were identified as farmer-to-farmer education, provision of financial incentives, developing training and partnership programs, and participatory learning.

IMPACT AND ADAPTATION OF SOUTH-EAST ASIAN FARMERS TO CLIMATE CHANGE: CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

2017 ◽  
Vol 08 (03) ◽  
pp. 1740007 ◽  
Author(s):  
PRADEEP KURUKULASURIYA ◽  
ROBERT MENDELSOHN
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Crop Choice ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Near Term ◽  
The Government ◽  
Choice Of Species ◽  
Large Animals

This study finds that South-East Asian farming is sensitive to climate change. Traditional Ricardian studies at the country and regional levels reveal that net revenue is affected by seasonal climate. A structural Ricardian model of growing season choice reveals climate change will reduce net revenues in the near term by 4–8% and in the long term by 10–18%. The implications of this impact on key sustainable development goals such as poverty reduction is likely to be profound. The study finds that farmers who rely on cultivating in three seasons will be especially hard hit by climate change relative to those that rely only on a single season. The results indicate that farmers will switch from 3 seasons to 1 season per year and reduce some of the losses that they would otherwise sustain. An analysis of crop adaptation finds that farmers will also adjust irrigation, crop choice, and the timing of planting in response to climate change. The livestock adaptation study finds that farmers will move towards livestock as climate warms. Farmers will also shift their choice of species away from large animals and move towards small animals. An analysis of perceptions finds that farmers throughout the region are aware that temperature is rising and they generally perceive that precipitation is falling. Half of the farmers interviewed have begun to take measures such as those reported in this study to adapt to climate change. The overall results suggest that acting on their self-interest, the agriculture sector will undertake a great deal of adaptation on its own. However, measures taken by the government such as providing up-to-date weather reports, extension, irrigation and assistance with new varieties can also be effective.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document