SFM: ITRA – Ag&Food

Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR inaugurated ITRA-ICAR strategy formulation meeting on ‘IT in Agriculture and Food’ at NASC complex, New Delhi on 15th March 2013.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Ayyappan emphasized upon knowledge based agriculture to enhance the productivity and efficiency of farmers through information technology. He said Indian agriculture will significantly benefit from IT in various dimensions, ranging from education, research and development to extension. He hoped deliberations of this meeting will help in mobilizing science and technology by linking agricultural specialists into virtual communities and accelerating agricultural research exchange among different entities.

In his address, Shri J. Satyanarayana, IAS, Secretary, DeitY stressed upon the need of ICT in agriculture. He said IT can link agricultural producers to increasingly globalized production chains and help develop trade opportunities.

Prof. Narendra Ahuja, Coordinator (PSIG), ITRA gave brief presentation on Information Technology in Agriculture and Food.

Dr. M.M. Pandey, DDG (Engineering), ICAR presented the overview of ICAR with special emphasis on IT in the ICAR System.

Earlier, Dr. G.V. Ramaraju, MD and CEO, Media Lab Asia welcomed the dignitaries and briefed the objectives of meeting.

Deputy Directors General, Directors of ICAR institutes, Foreign delegates, IT professionals and senior officials are participating in this two-day (15-16 March, 2013) meeting.

Dr. Rameshwar Singh, Project Director, Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture, ICAR proposed vote of thanks.