agriculture and information technology
TRANSCRIPT
Agriculture and Information Technology
Chulantha KulasekereSameera Dissanayaka
My Talk …
• Impact/importance of agriculture• The need of the hour• Relevance of IT in agriculture• Examples of how IT can support to improve
agriculture• Question time
Some perspective
In Sri Lanka ..
• Agriculture sector is a major socio-economic component
• Approximately 75% people living in rural areas are dependent on agriculture
• About 43% of geographical area is used for agriculture
• Food resources are scarce and need to import
The impact … Sector Num. of Holdings Extent (hec.)
Agriculture 3,252,954 4,797,004
Partial Uncultivated (hec.) Vacant (hec.)
520,000 111,000 340,000
Another perspective ..
Average HARVESTED rice kg/ (Hectares)
4,444 kg
Productivity Less than 50%
If we only consider the paddy sector, the harvest is not enough to feed
the population of 21 million
Other sectors are similar …
Lets leave agriculture and jump to Information technology
What is the definition of Information Technology?
A set of tools, processes and methodologies, and associated equipment employed to collect,
process and present information.
My thinking ..
A set of tools and methods for value addition … to just about anything
What is the connection?
Using IT for value addition in the agriculture sector ..
Stages to discuss ..
CULTIVATION
Rubber Plantation
The issues
• Harvesting is based on the girth of trees• Fertilizing is based on the girth of trees• Planting and replanting is based on the girth of
trees
The Solution• Automate the measurement of girth• Information processing to optimize supply
chain
Precision Farming
Precision Fertilizing
Satellite-based crop management
More closer to home ..
DISTRIBUTION
How much produce is destroyed during distribution?
Which areas have a higher percentage destroyed?
Why is it important to know this information?
e-commerce in Agriculture
• Access to distribution networks• SMS pricing• Availability of fertilizer• Connecting demand and supply adequately
RFID based food distribution
CONSUMPTION
Data mining based systems
• Purchasing pattern identification• Stocking based on food types• Floor management based on patterns• Offering location based services for shoppers• Automated warehousing
IT will enhance the agriculture sector to produce more with less
resources and with higher efficiency
Thank You