1. POWER OF ICT

3. CHALLENGES IN AGRICULTURE Agriculture is an important sector with the majority of the rural population in developing countries depending on it. Sector faces major challenges of enhancing production in a situation of dwindling natural resources necessary for production, Water shortages, declining soil fertility, effects of climate change and rapid decrease of fertile agricultural lands due to urbanization Growing demand for Agricultural products offers opportunities for producers to sustain and improve their livelihoods.

4. DECISION SUPPORT FOR EHANCING KHARIF PRODUCTION Key improvements stem from information about regulations early warning systems,pest and disease control, new varieties, new ways to optimize production with the applicability of ICT. Timely information for the transplantation of Non basmati variety paddy and basmati variety of paddy to arrest the falling trend in ground water Propagation of Direct seeded rice to conserve water Leaf color chart for the Judicious use of fertilizers. Use of Tensiometers Providing soil health cards Promoting Chisel ploughs to break the hard crust to conserve water and increase in yield

5. TACKLING CHALLENGES IN AGRICULTURAL USING ICT FOR Timely availability of information(Weather information system and Pricing) Need for relevant Agricultural information Initiatives to expand the reach of farm extension services through phone, radio, video, Mobiles and Internet and sometimes all. SMS or text messaging campaigns for enabling environment advocacy Applications (apps) to help buyers manage transactions with the thousands of small-scale farmers who supply to them Improving market access Foster strategies and programmes with a long-term perspective

6. Initiatives Taken By Department of Agriculture, Punjab 1. KISAN CALL CENTRE: As per instructions of Govt. of India Department registered names of State Level designating officers for Agriculture and allied Departments to implement “Revised Escalation Matrix of KCC”. Department has created and forwarded User ID’s of Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, SAU and Fisheries. Names of district/block experts have been registered by Department of Agriculture, Punjab from 21 districts. Now Department is going to arrange videoconferencing of Field Experts of Agriculture & allied and F.T.A. of KCC to provide them online training regarding field problems..

7. Regular Trainings for F.T.A.(Level-1) & Level-2 experts were conducted at P.A.U. Ludhiana. Important Literature /books were supplied to KCC. Due coverage given on Doordarshan and All India Radio Under Mass Media Support to Agriculture Extension “ Mera Pind Mere Khet” is relayed on Doordarshan. Dehati Programme of All India Radio is being regularly sponsored by Department from number of years. Regular meetings of Rural Programme Advisory Committee are conducted with participation of Doordarshan, Agriculture & Allied departments and P.A.U. Ludhiana. 2. MASS MEDIA

8. S.NoName of stateNUMBER OF CALLS FROM 21/10/2004 to 30/4/2012 NUMBER OF CALLS FROM 01/05/2012 to Feb 2015 1PUNJAB395455678727 KISAN CALL CENTRE

9. M-KISAN PORTAL S.NO ADVISORIES /INFORMATION /SERVICE SENT TO THE FARMERS AS ON 01/04/2015 AGRICULTURESTATE(HQ)ATMAKVK 3309101341741273 ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 10574 HORTICULTURE 108699

10. STATUS OF SEED/PESTICIDE /FERTILIZER/MACHINERY DEALERS ON FARMER PORTAL AS ON 01/04/2015 STATE NUMBER OF SEED DEALERS NUMBER OF FERTILIZER DEALERS NOUMBER OF PESTICIDE DEALERS NUMBER OF MANUFAC TURES TOTAL NUMBER OF DEALERS IN STATE PUNJAB 643913179935999147