Application of IT can transform Indian agriculture: Experts

New Delhi, Dec 31 (UNI) The community of Agriculture Statisticians and scientists say that the rural economy needs to be transformed by the elaborate use of Information Technology and called upon the government to hike public investment in agriculture and improve extension services.

Agriculture scientists and statisticans, who assembled here from all over India and abroad for the just concluded four-day 'International Conference on Statistics and Informatics,' highlighted that it would not be possible to double the targetted growth rate in agriculture from the present level of two per cent, without substantial hike in public investment in agriculture.

Besides, extension services in agriculture, leave much to be desired and it was critical to improve public delivery in these areas as well as tone up the administration.

Moreover, the government needs to rejuvenate co-operatives as they have grassroot level contacts and interaction as well as knowledge. "These steps will ultimately rejuvenate agricultural research", the conference said in its recommendations.

The event brought together 200 statisticians from India and abroad and was inaugurated by Minister of State for Statistics G K Vasan. It was chaired by Dr Manglarai, Chairman of Indian Council of Agriculture Statisticans.

The Conference gave a clarion call for improving the management of severely undernourished children. "For this proper identification is necessary which is feasible only by the use of growth charts based on standard deviation classification. Further, as the nutrition peaks at 11 to 12 months of age, the right age for intervention is targetting children less than one year of age," the scientists said.

The scientists were of the view that statistical issues relating to proper infrastructure for post harvest management of highly perishable commodities of animal, bird and fish origin and efficient utilisation of by-products of these commodities needs to be addressed, Given the growing interest in setting up food processing industries, it was crucial to create data bases for food chains from production till consumption as processed foods. Value addition to these data basis in the form of marketing channels, nutritive value, energy and environmental safety and quality of the finished product also need to be made.

The scientists bemoaned that there was a decline in the quality of employment for rural women. Attention needs to be given for creating quality employment opportunities for women.

UNI