Use modern tech for timely, accurate agri-data: Agri Min

With time lag in agri-data hindering the policy making process, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today asked the Statistics Ministry to use modern technologies like remote sensing to generate "timely and accurate" data related to farm sector.
He also asked the ministry to ensure the National Sample Survey (NSS) to "assess the economic situation of farmers" is conducted once in five years instead of 10 years so that the government can frame timely policies based on the data.
"We are aiming to double farmers' income in five years, for which timely and accurate data is required for making right policies," Singh said addressing an event organised by the Statistics Ministry to commemorate 10th Statistics Day.

In order to address time lag in agri-data, there is a need to use modern technologies like remote sensing, he said, adding that such technologies are now being promoted in his ministry for collecting horticulture data.
"Not only timely data, quality data is also required. Our policies are based on data. If data is wrong, then such policies will not yield any results," Singh said.
The minister also shared how the agri-data helped the government to put in place contingency plan in the last two drought years and envisage various agriculture schemes like Gokul Mission.

On NSS data on economic situation of farmers, Singh said: "This data comes once in 10 years. Can we wait for 10 long years to get this data and then make policy for farmers? What will happen to our small farmers? How do we make schemes to raise their income. I request you to provide such data once in five years."

Stating the data is backbone of the policy making, Statistics Minister V K Singh said, "The biggest contribution that statistics can give is assist the planners and policy makers with timely and accurate data."
He also emphasised on using modern technologies for this purpose. "Ensure use of technology not only for survey but for data analysis and producing data," he added.
For timely and efficient agri-data data, Statistics and Planning Implementation Secretary T C A Anant today announced the plans to start a pilot project to evaluate feasibility of scientifically incorporating the satellite information into the traditional agriculture yield estimates.

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Emphasising on role of data in successful implementation of agricultural programmes, the agriculture minister said the data is imperative for removing regional disparity and achieve economic and social development.
"It is high time that statistics methodology should be utilised to sort out the problem for providing credible and assured data on lower level. This challenge may be used through the use of sophisticated technology for the compilation of data related," he said.
State governments should take active initiative to strengthen their methodology for agri-statistics, he added.
The minister further said the availability of credible data related to output utilisation along with agricultural production is not only significant for agriculture and allied sector but also important to assess the potentiality related to farmers' income.

The government has rolled out several important agri- schemes, for which the agricultural statistics has to play an important role so as to improve the condition of the farmers and to increase food security, he added.