ICT, digital innovations can save agriculture: Karnataka CM

Only Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digital innovations can rescue the agriculture sector plagued with myriad problems, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday.

Siddaramaiah called for use of ICT models and tools for localised forecasts to protect against weather-related problems.

"The application of ICT in agriculture generates possibilities for solution to the problems of rural people and also to promote agricultural production by providing timely and tailor-made scientific information and intelligence to farmers," he said.

The chief minister was speaking at the eighth Global Communication Research Association International Conference on 'Innovation Digital Applications for Sustainable Development' organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences here.

"It is important to empower poor farmers with information and communication vis-a-vis assets and services to increase their productivity and income as well as protect their food security and livelihood."

The three-day conference will focus on seven themes, including Modern Media in Agricultural Communication, Content Generation and Skill Development for ICT-based applications, IT Acts and Policy Framework: Concerns, Issues and Challenges.