A training programme on “Improving e-Governance in Agriculture” is organized by Punjab Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institute (PAMETI) for extension officers of State Agriculture & Allied Departments and ATMA staff from 16-19 August, 2016 at Ludhiana. 25 participants including scientists from KVKs of GADVASU are attended the programme.

To impart knowledge to trainees about concept of e-Governance and its importance in agriculture and allied sectors for providing more farmer-centric and transparent services is the objective of the programme. Electronic Governance refers to those governance processes in which Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play an active role in delivering governance related products and services.

Latest information about inputs, farm management practices, rainfall predictions, market intelligence etc. are may include in these governance products and services in Agriculture sector. Also, this may include more streamlined & responsive services and wider participation by using radically redesigned processes under various government schemes & programmes for the farmers.

The training programme was inaugurated by Dr. H S Dhaliwal, who is the Director in PAMETI. He also emphasized on the current need of using ICTs in Agriculture & Allied sectors for automating the processes and for reaching more number of beneficiaries in short period. Mr Umang Sharma, Associate Fellow (SA) from Mahatama Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Chandigarh introduced the concept of e-Governance & its importance in providing openness, better participation, responsibility, effectiveness and consistency in government processes. Mr Rahul Dabral from Dept. of Governance Reforms, Ludhiana with his practical approach, threw light on Digital India concept & its implementation through various projects in Punjab.

Through videoconferencing, Dr V P Sharma, Director (IT) and G Bhaskar, Assistant Director (IT), MANAGE, Hyderabad interacted with the participants and discussed the background & experience of Kisan Call Centers (KCC) and services under NeGP-A respectively.

During the session trainees asked mock questions to the KCC experts & gave their important feedback. A session by Dr T P Venkatchalapathy, ADA (Computer), Dept. of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu was taken where he explained various ICT initiatives and projects running under e-Governance in his State which was much appreciated by the trainees and they were motivated to replicate the same in Punjab.

Experts from PAU, PAMETI and Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Ludhiana also explained Usage of web portals like Farmers portal, mKisan portal, KVK portal & E-NAM were also practically explained to the trainees.

In the programme feedback, trainees pointed out that awareness about concept of e-Governance in Agriculture & its implementation is very important.

Source :Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)