e-velanmai acts as problem solver for farmers: TNAU VC

: Agricultural extension strategy has been changing every 10 years, depending on time and local needs and in this situation,e-velanmai(e-agriculture) can help capture spot problems of farmers in mobile and tablets and sent to experts for solutions, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor, Dr K Ramasamy said here today.
This was considering the contemporary condition assuming that all farmers have mobile phones, which can be used as a tool for technology delivery by linking internet based agriculture, he said.
The VC was speaking after inaugurating a two-day workshop on e-velanmai (e-agriculture) model for extension for agricultural officers from Vellor, Thiruvallur, Cuddalore and Kancheepuram districts.

Ramasamy said the model was successfully implemented in Vellore and Trichirapalli districts and replicated throughout the state now and added that agriculture officers reduce regular visits to the farm to provide solution to farmers due to work load and other factors.
In this situation, e-velanmai may help capture on the spot problems from farmers through mobile, tablets, which can be sent to the experts for appropriate solution, he said.
Pointing out that Tamil Nadu has 81 lakh agriculture families entirely dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, he said agriculture officers should analyze socio, economic and cultural characteristics of the farm families to understand their positions and need.

Dr B J Pandiyan, Director, Water Technology Centre, said that farmers took seven days to solve their problem through conventional methods, as against 24 hours through e-Velanmai by the experts.
Considering this, the program has been identified as a good one to be implemented all over India by the World Bank and Food and Agriculture Organization, he said.
The University, along with World Bank aided TN-IAMWARM (Tamil Nadu-Irrigated Agricultural Modernization and Water bodies Restoration and Management) project is organising the workshop.